Bantock Primary school received the School Mental Health Award from Minds Ahead and the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools.
The school has a holistic approach to boosting the wellbeing of pupils, staff and parents including nurture groups, parent ambassadors, well-being and emotional literacy interventions, strategies to support emotional regulation, counselling and wellbeing support for staff.
It has also worked with agencies including the City of Wolverhampton Council’s education psychologists and the Wolverhampton Outreach Service to develop strategies and initiatives to enhance the mental health of all.
The school has joined a range of mental health communities, locally and nationally, has also shared its best practice with other schools through case studies.
Headteacher Harvey Sarai said: “Bantock Primary has a unique school context, which translates into unique challenges requiring creative solutions. We are a school that thrives on research outcomes and are excited when an aspect that is implemented leads to desirable outcomes.
“Through research, auditing, reflection and evaluation, this Gold Mental Health Award acknowledges and recognises that our provision and practice is equipping and adding value to every young person that attends Bantock Primary School.”
Councillor Chris Burden, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Work, said: “It is essential that promoting good mental health and wellbeing is a priority across our schools, both for children and staff. I am very proud of the work of Bantock Primary School, and this award recognises how much it values wellbeing and having a happy school.”
The award was established in 2017 by social enterprise Minds Ahead and the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools – part of Leeds Beckett University – which aims to strengthen pupils’ mental health by supporting schools to make a positive change at all levels of the UK's education system.
Doctor Steve Burton, Interim 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 and engaging with the wider community including staff and parents and carers.
“We’re truly proud to have worked with Bantock Primary in this vital work and look forward to further collaboration.”
Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead added: “This award shines a light on the excellent work schools are doing to promote mental health for their community of children and adults. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”
