A School Mental Health Strategy with Solution Focus; An Interview with Polly Netto

From School Solutions Talk · 47:35

Show by Vicky Essebag and Tara Gretton

In this new episode, we are so happy to welcome Polly Netto who has been making a huge difference at Beechen Cliff School. With over 10 years of experience, she is the Head of Religion, Philosophy and Ethics, a qualified PSHE Lead and Deputy Head of 6th Form. She is the whole school Mental Health and Solution Focused (SF) Lead - using her SF training and a team approach to plan, review and update annually, schemes of school-wide mental health. Netto delivers whole staff training, incorporates SF in the staff appraisal process, and includes parents in SF conversations. She facilitates assemblies and creates resources for both the classroom and to use one-to-one with young people. In December of 2025, Netto worked with Tara Gretton to deliver training to school counsellors on behalf of the Cypriot Ministry. Netto's exceptional work demonstrates the impact of developing relationships at school and positively noticing everyone for their personal resources, in a climate where all are valuable and add value. She infuses an intention to notice what's working rather than what's not, and helps staff and students alike, to talk about what they want as a vehicle for individual successes in progressive steps. Netto brings hope to all schools, to experience productive differences when solution focused communication is prioritized. We had a great conversation and hope you will enjoy it as well! Thank you Polly!#schoolleadership #mental health #wellbeing #solutionfocus #communication #caring #staff #students #parents #successTHANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:Work Collaborative, a not-for-profit movement restoring confidence in schools worldwide. Based on the best-selling book Change Starts Here by Shane Leaning and Efraim Lerner, Work Collaborative helps schools lead change from within instead of relying on external solutions. The collaborative’s approach trusts that teachers, leaders, parents and students have the capability to solve their own challenges when given the right support. If you're interested in solution-focused approaches that build internal capacity, join this global movement of educators at workcollaborative.com.Instructional Coaching Group is the global destination for coaching in education, including instructional coaching and leadership coaching. Led by Dr. Jim Knight, ICG’s work is grounded in more than 25 years of research focused on improving teaching and strengthening leadership, with the ultimate goal of increasing student success. Through research-based learning and consulting, the Instructional Coaching Group partners with schools and systems worldwide to build sustainable coaching practices and programs that support schools. www.instructionalcoaching.com The Canadian Centre for Brief Coaching (CCBC) - Founded by Dr. Haesun Moon, is a company based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The CCBC provides competency-based workplace training programs as well as coaching and consulting services to organizations across sectors, both in Canada and across the globe. Since its inception as a research body and think tank comprised of graduate students, subject-matter experts and community partners, the CCBC has evolved to provide programs and services designed with Solution Focused Coaching as the fundamental framework. Go to: www.pracademia.com Family Based Solutions is a charitable organization based in the UK and founded by Ayse Adil and Joe Lettieri. They offer counselling services, support groups, solution focused training, online support and global leadership. They work collaboratively to end the cycle of abuse in families and to repair relationships. Using Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT), FBS gives families full control of their healing, alowing families to take small and manageable steps toward their bests hopes. Go to https://familybasedsolutions.org.uk/

More episodes of School Solutions Talk

More episodes

PodSearch is a free, independent podcast search engine. Read about PodSearch, the privacy policy or contact us.