The award, developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB), focuses on ensuring that effective practices and provisions are in place to support and promote emotional wellbeing and mental health. The aim is to change the long-term culture of schools, embedding an ethos where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.

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In gaining the award, St Andrew’s CE Primary School is demonstrating a commitment to:

• Ensuring that emotional wellbeing and mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.

• Offering high-quality, ongoing professional development so staff feel confident responding to pupils’ needs.

• Working with the whole-school community to support emotional wellbeing and mental health.

• Committing to a clear strategy that promotes and protects emotional wellbeing and mental health.

• Actively promoting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of our staff.

• Ensuring systems and external partnerships are in place to support different types of emotional and mental health needs.

 

The final report identified the following factors as strengths:

• The approach of the Headteacher, her team and governors have created a seamless and consistent, welcoming, safe, caring, supportive, non-judgmental, aspirational and innovative culture.

• A strong Christian vision and values, alongside the wellbeing aim are central to the success of the school…creating a sense of autonomy, shared responsibility, empowerment and a sense of belonging.

• Children feel safe and happy in school, trust staff and are confident and proud of their achievements.

• Pupils are at the heart of change in their school.

• The award process also highlighted the multiple examples of outstanding ‘wellbeing’ practice.

• The proactive approach to parental engagement, genuine care, breaking down barriers, welfare support, excellent working relationships with outside agencies and the school nurse, effective communication between staff and parents and the range of sessions available to parents should be commended and ensures vulnerable children and their families are supported swiftly and effectively.

• The school has drawn together the threads that connect all the different work done and aspirations, and is able to demonstrate positive change in children, families and staff.

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