Promoting well-being has helped an academy become the first secondary school in the country to gain a new mental health award from Leeds Beckett University.
Stockport Academyin Greater Manchester has gained silver status after picking up theCarnegie Centre of Excellence Mental Health Award for Schools.
Students and staff from the academy benefit from a wide range of well-being initiatives, and discussed mental health issues during a visit from shadow secretary of state for educationAngela Rayner– who attended the school as a student, when it was known as Avondale School.
Established in partnership with social enterpriseMinds Ahead, the mental health quality kitemark recognises schools that ensure the well-being of pupils and staff.
Professor Damien Page, Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education, said: ‘Achieving this award is not just recognition of a whole-school approach to mental health, it’s a recognition of the school’s commitment to improving the life chances of children.
‘We’re truly proud to have worked with Stockport Academy in this vital work and look forward to further collaboration.’
The academy provides a wide range of activities to boost the well-being of pupils and staff, including one-on-one counselling sessions for students, family therapy sessions and mental health drop-in sessions, all on a weekly basis.
In addition, students are offered愤怒管理支持, and a Year 10 peer mentor group supports Year 7 students who might be struggling with the transition to secondary school.
The school also holds an annual mental health awareness week, with assemblies and pop-up support stalls, while students are also able to access online support and a self-help service.
Students from the academy also discussed mental health issues during a visit from Shadow Secretary of State for Education Angela Rayner.
Stockport Academy PrincipalJanine McCannsaid: ‘We are delighted to be the first secondary school in the country to receive this award, which recognises the hard work of both students, staff and our families, on what is an incredibly important issue.
‘As a school at the heart of its community, we work tirelessly to support our students with their curricular studies and beyond. Helping to raise awareness of the importance of mental health and well-being is a key part of our drive to provide a real education with character.’
学校也分两个annual ‘well-being weeks’ that encourage staff to take early finishes, eat healthy and be more active. Stockport Academy has also taken part in a pilot scheme with its sponsor,United Learning, andbusiness psychology company Robertson Cooperto further develop its staff well-being programme.
Nationally, more than 300 schools have signed up to take part in the new mental health award.
Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead said: ‘This award shines a light on the excellent work schools are doing to promote mental health for their community of children and adults.
‘It is thrilling and humbling to learn about Stockport Academy and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.’
