The SEND Foundation Delivers Vital 'Who Am I?' Course to Over 170 Year 8 Students

Creating Space for Young People to Truly Be Heard

Why Early Conversations About Wellbeing Matter More Than Ever

This week, we’ve had the privilege of working on behalf of The SEND Foundation with an incredible group of young people at a Milton Keynes high school, opening up real, honest conversations about mental health, healthy and unhealthy relationships, and what it means to feel safe, valued, and understood.

At the same time, our wider work across the city continues to grow. Milton Keynes, The SEND Foundation recently delivered its comprehensive mental health and healthy relationships programme, Who Am I?, to more than 170 Year 8 students at Milton Keynes Academy. This course is designed to support young people during a crucial developmental stage, equipping them with essential tools to understand themselves, build positive relationships, and maintain strong mental well-being.

What Young People Told Us

Across both schools, a consistent message emerged: when we give young people safe spaces to be heard, they show remarkable insight into their own needs.

Students spoke about:

• Mental health and wellbeing

• Friendship and social pressures

• How online influence shapes their choices

• The importance of being able to talk openly without judgment

• What healthy and unhealthy relationships look like in real life
  

The Who Am I? sessions echoed this. Throughout the programme, students explored self-identity, emotional awareness, communication skills, and recognising healthy versus unhealthy behaviours. The interactive structure encouraged open dialogue and gave them practical tools for navigating challenges both now and in the future.

Ms Sade Ross, Year 8 Pastoral Lead at Milton Keynes Academy, reflected on the impact:

Why This Work Matters More Than Ever

With Ofsted’s 2025 framework bringing wellbeing, inclusion, and emotional development firmly into focus, schools are being asked not just to educate, but to create cultures where every young person feels supported emotionally, socially, and relationally.

This shift mirrors what we see every day: that well-being isn’t an extra. It’s foundational. It’s the building block of confidence, belonging, and lifelong resilience.

The Who Am I? programme, along with our wider workshops, forms part of Milton Keynes Academy’s commitment to holistic student development, ensuring pupils receive support that goes far beyond academic achievement.

Our Commitment to Schools

At The SEND Foundation, we are passionate about helping schools make this vision a reality. We do this through:

• Early, meaningful conversations that build emotional literacy

• Practical tools young people can use in real life

• Staff training that empowers adults to support relational and emotional development

• Workshops that address mental health, resilience, friendships, relationships, and online influence
  

And every time we work with a new group of young people, we’re reminded of how vital and how powerful this work truly is.

Want to Deliver This in Your School?

We’re incredibly grateful for the openness and honesty shown by the young people we’ve met this week. Their voices drive everything we do.

If you are a school interested in booking The SEND Foundation to deliver workshops or the Who Am I? programme, please reach out to: jonathan@thesendfoundation.org