Wirral RISE Up: Early Impact, Powerful Partnerships, Real Change for Young People
- Neil @ Future Action
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Interim Impact Highlights | February–November 2025
In under one academic year, schools across the Wirral are seeing measurable improvements in children’s wellbeing, behaviour and readiness to learn, driven by relationships, movement and trauma-informed practice.
Since February 2025, the Wirral RISE Up programme has partnered with 13 schools across the borough to embed approaches that help children feel safe enough to regulate, connect and thrive.
Funded and supported by Wirral Virtual School, this regional programme focuses on strengthening mental wellbeing through emotionally available adults, purposeful movement and consistent routines.
This blog shares the key headlines from our newly released Wirral RISE Up Interim Impact Report, drawing on five in-depth case studies and emerging impact from across the partnership.
Headline Impact So Far 📊
69% Average Improvement in Whole-School Wellbeing Provision 🏫
Using the School Wellbeing Scorecard, schools completing pre- and post-intervention audits showed an average 69% uplift in wellbeing provision, achieved in under one academic year.
This reflects meaningful improvements in:
Staff confidence and relational practice
Consistent regulation routines
Inclusive PE and enrichment opportunities
Whole-school alignment around wellbeing
30% Average Improvement in Student Mental Wellbeing (WEMWBS)
Across five completed case studies; Clare Mount, Meadowside, Stanley, The Observatory School and Utopia, teachers recorded an average 30% uplift in student mental wellbeing.
Improvements were most consistently seen in:
Optimism
Confidence
Emotional regulation
Social connection
Ability to manage wellbeing
For many children, particularly those with additional vulnerabilities, this translates into calmer starts to the day, stronger relationships with adults, and a renewed willingness to engage with learning and movement.
This isn’t about short-term interventions. It’s about sustainable culture change.
What Does RISE Up Look Like in Practice? 🧠
The Wirral RISE Up programme equips schools to:
Develop emotionally available adults who model safety and trust
Use movement for mental wellbeing through the RISE framework(Repeaters, Inclusive Teams, Stress Busters, Energisers)
Strengthen self-regulation and emotional intelligence through practical toolkits
Build consistent, compassionate routines that widen the window of tolerance
Personalise PE and wellbeing provision to meet diverse needs
Create a bespoke whole-school approach that lasts
Schools are supported through:
Whole-staff Trauma-Informed PE and Early Intervention Wellbeing training
Coaching and leadership support
Pre/post measurement using WEMWBS and the School Wellbeing Scorecard
Editable resources and bespoke action planning
Multi-agency collaboration led by Wirral Virtual School
What the Case Studies Are Showing 🌟
Across the five completed case studies, we’re seeing different pathways to impact, shaped by each school’s context — and united by a common commitment to relationships, safety and belonging.
+47% improvement in wellbeing
Whole-school celebrations like the Meadowside Olympics strengthened belonging
Previously disengaged pupils re-engaged with PE and movement
Utopia School
+47% wellbeing improvement
Whole-school wellbeing provision doubled
Students report feeling calmer, more focused and more confident
+25% wellbeing improvement
Active Form Time supporting 80+ pupils
Now acting as the lead school for Wirral RISE Up
The Observatory School
+28.6% wellbeing improvement
Girls-only PE lessons rebuilt confidence and safety
Student voice placed at the heart of curriculum design
Stanley School
Overall wellbeing uplift was modest, but regulation impact was significant
33% increase in pupils feeling relaxed “often”
Daily Mile routines improved readiness to learn and reduced incidents
Each story reinforces the same message: When children feel safe and connected, learning becomes possible.
Impact for Children Supported by Wirral Virtual School 💛
Children supported by Wirral Virtual School, many with experiences of trauma, disrupted attachments or emotional regulation difficulties, have shown particularly strong gains across the programme.
Why this matters for Virtual Schools:
✔ Improved emotional regulation, especially at the start of the day
✔ More stable, trusting relationships with emotionally available adults
✔ Increased confidence and willingness to participate
✔ Reduced behaviour incidents
✔ A stronger sense of belonging and emotional safety
Examples across schools include:
Clare Mount – Looked After Children showing some of the strongest gains in confidence and self-regulation
Meadowside – Virtual School pupils thriving through inclusive celebrations such as the Meadowside Olympics
Stanley – A pupil previously unable to focus now engaging in phonics following morning regulation routines
These outcomes highlight the value of early, trauma-informed investment and the strong alignment between RISE Up and the needs of vulnerable learners.
A Huge Thank You 🙏
The progress captured in this interim report would not have been possible without the vision, leadership and investment of Wirral Virtual School.
A heartfelt thank you to Oliver Terry and the Wirral Virtual School team for their belief in the programme and their continued commitment to improving wellbeing, emotional safety and life chances for children across the borough.
We also extend sincere thanks to Clare Mount Specialist Sports College, and Headteacher Dan Keefe, and Kevin Byrne for acting as the lead school for the Wirral RISE Up community of practice, modelling collaboration, generosity and trauma-informed leadership.
Together; Wirral Virtual School, Clare Mount, and the 13 participating schools, we are creating safer, more connected and more hopeful environments where young people across the Wirral can thrive.
Could This Work in Your Region? 🌍
The Wirral story is one of many.
Over the last four years, Regional RISE Up Programmes have supported schools across the UK and internationally to:
1️⃣ Identify children struggling early and direct to specialist support
2️⃣ Build a trauma-informed frontline of educators
3️⃣ Use movement for regulation, belonging and wellbeing
4️⃣ Equip children with practical self-care wellbeing toolkits for life
From Virtual Schools and Active Partnerships to Public Health teams and MATs, we work flexibly with partners to design programmes that meet local needs — and evidence impact within 12 months.
If you’re exploring how to support vulnerable children more effectively in your region, the question is no longer “Does this work?” — but:
“How soon could this help children in our area?”
Take The Next Step
1👉 Join the RISE Up Waiting List here and we will be in touch.
3👉 Explore our Impact Reports & Case Studies here.
Together, we can empower educators to transform children’s mental wellbeing and life chances, one region at a time.
Thank you for all you do for your young people, have a brilliant week.
Neil Moggan
Founder, Future Action
P.S. 📬 Subscribe to our weekly newsletter – stay informed with the latest wellbeing insights and practical tools for your setting:👉 Subscribe Here
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