Our Lead Nurse is a finalist in the Boarding Schools Association Awards

Kate Scott, Lead Nurse at Chetham’s School of Music, has reached the finals of the Boarding Schools Association (BSA) Awards. Kate has worked at Chetham’s since 2002 and her commitment and care for boarders and day students is exemplary.

She is shortlisted for the Stephen Winkley Award, which commends the achievements of an individual who has made a significant contribution to the cause of boarding.

As a qualified Nurse Manager leading the school medical team, Kate advises students, staff, and parents on a full range of physical health, mental health, and wellbeing matters.

Nicola Smith, Joint Principal at Chetham’s School of Music, said: “Our students are better cared for thanks to Kate. She treats students with a wide range of both physical and mental health needs, ensuring that their condition is no barrier to their musical education.

“She’s made big changes to the school including championing musical injury prevention and talking therapy, long before most schools considered employing counsellors. She has also brought in medical education sessions and adopted a restorative behaviour model. For example, individual education sessions may focus on teaching young people about the effects of substance abuse on their body and mental wellbeing.

“Since Chetham’s School of Music is a city-centre boarding school, Kate also set up a Scouts group within Chetham’s to ensure students did not miss out on opportunities they may get if they lived at home. This Scouts group was the first of its kind within the UK. “

Kate has demonstrated a life-long commitment to caring for communities and fundraising and has organised student trips to Malawi and even hiked to Mount Everest base camp to raise money. But perhaps most impressive was her dedication to nursing when the pandemic struck.

In 2020, Kate asked that could she be seconded to the NHS. Her sense of duty to her profession and her selfless nature called her to volunteer to work with desperately ill patients on the Nightingale wards.

During this time, she also continued her work at Chetham’s, maintaining contact with all her school patients who were now living at home. She made sure that they had their medications, could access counsellors online, liaised with the school Doctor and parents, and ensured weekly welfare check-ins with vulnerable boarders.

We are all so proud of Kate and all her achievements.

The Stephen Winkley Award is the longest-running BSA award, dedicated to the memory of Stephen Winkley, BSA chair (2003) and headmaster of Uppingham (1991-2006) and Rossall schools (2008-2013).