PUTTING WELLBEING FIRST
The B.E.N. Programme
The B.E.N. Programme at ACS Cobham
At ACS Cobham, wellbeing isn’t an add-on – it’s woven into the fabric of school life. This year, we were proud to achieve the Optimus Wellbeing Award for Schools, a recognition valid for three years that celebrates institutions with a deep and meaningful commitment to wellbeing.
Earning this award required us to reflect on the breadth and depth of our initiatives – and selecting just one to highlight was no easy task. However, one truly homegrown project rose above the rest: the B.E.N. programme.
Born at ACS Cobham. Backed by Science.
The B.E.N. programme was developed by our own strength and conditioning coach, Ben Stork, a passionate advocate for youth health and wellbeing.
Ben works closely with our boarding students each week and saw first-hand the need for a more holistic, preventative approach to student wellbeing – one that links together sleep, exercise, nutrition, and mental health.
Using his 30 years of experience coaching young athletes, Ben took the injury-prevention mindset from sport and applied it to wellbeing. The result is B.E.N. – a mobile app and wellness toolkit designed to help young people understand how these elements of their daily routines are deeply connected, and how small changes can make a big difference.
A Proactive Approach to Teenage Health
We live in a world that often reacts to illness rather than preventing it. Teenagers are told to sleep more, move more, eat better – but rarely are they given the tools or understanding to do so. B.E.N. changes that narrative.
The app is intuitive and quick to use. Students rate their sleep, exercise, nutrition, and wellbeing each day, helping them spot patterns and gently nudging them toward healthier habits. It isn’t about screen time, it’s about real-life choices. And because the data is anonymised, students can self-regulate while also giving schools and families a conversation starter when support is needed.
From Assemblies to Action
The strength of B.E.N. lies in its balance of education and empowerment. Assemblies give students the ‘why’ – why these areas matter so much to their physical and mental growth. The app provides the ‘how’ – simple, actionable insights they can take into their day.
Since launching at ACS Cobham, B.E.N. has been embraced by students and staff alike. Weekly wellbeing scores show positive trends, and more importantly, we’re building a culture where wellbeing is something young people feel confident managing.
From Local Innovation to Global Potential
Now available in the Apple App Store and being shared with other schools, the B.E.N. programme is a shining example of what happens when passion, expertise, and care for young people come together in one initiative. It doesn’t replace existing wellbeing programmes – it enhances them.
At ACS Cobham, we aim to collaboratively nurture proactive wellbeing for all. With the B.E.N. programme, we are equipping our students not just to cope, but to thrive.
