MONMOUTH Comprehensive School is set to become a centre of excellence for a new approach to pupil well-being.

The restorative approach developed by the comprehensive aims to build on remodelling relationships that exists between young people and the organisations they encounter in their lives, such as the police.

Andy Williams, deputy head teacher at the school, will lead the development which will be rolled out across Monmouthshire schools.

The aim is to cut the number of children excluded from school and reduce teacher absences caused by stress-related issues.

Over the past five years, the number of students receiving a fixed term exclusion at the comprehensive has fallen by 84 per cent.

Monmouthshire council’s cabinet yesterday agreed to fund the project with £94,000 for the first year and £61,000 for 2015/16 from the reserve funds.

Cllr Peter Fox, council leader, said: “The report suggest that there is an opportunity for Monmouth Comprehensive to become a real success.

“It is fantastic and brings added value to the wellbeing agenda within the school.

“From July this year, Monmouth Comprehensive will become the first school in Britain to be accredited by the Restorative Justice Council as a centre of excellence.

“It is an exemplar scheme that need to be rolled out further across Monmouthshire.”

The scheme will aim to build a sense of community among young people and staff, to develop trust and combat bulling and to create support centres for mental health and wellbeing in each hub school.

A review of the school council structures and its effectiveness will also take place.

An Estyn inspection of Monmouthshire County Council, published in February 2013, made recommendations concerning the safeguarding of children and in particular of the need to raise attainment standards in key stage four.