St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School has recently committed to working towards achieving the Wellbeing Award for Schools. Developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB), the WAS is intended to help us prepare and equip ourselves to promote emotional wellbeing and positive mental health across the whole-school community. Both NCB and St Teresa’s share the vision that we have an education system where good emotional wellbeing and mental health are at the heart of the culture and ethos of our schools, so that pupils, with the support of their teachers, can build confidence and flourish.
Please visit the following website if you would like to watch a video and find out more about the award. https://www.awardplace.co.uk/award/was
The WAS is a welcome opportunity to recognise the exceptional work that we already do in this area and also identify opportunities to develop good emotional health and wellbeing among whole school community. The key features of a whole-school approach form the basis of the award, and it provides schools with a benchmark of best practice against which to test itself.
What is the Award?
The WAS consists of eight evidence-based objectives, which schools must meet to get the award. The assessment is made by an external advisor.
Objective 1 – The school is committed to promoting and protecting emotional wellbeing and mental health by achieving the Wellbeing Award for Schools.
Objective 2 – The school has a clear vision and strategy for promoting and protecting emotional wellbeing and mental health, which is communicated to all involved with the school.
Objective 3 – The school has a positive culture which regards emotional wellbeing and mental health as the responsibility of all.
Objective 4 – The school actively promotes staff emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Objective 5 – The school prioritises professional learning and staff development on emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Objective 6 – The school understands the different types of emotional and mental health needs across the school and has systems in place to respond appropriately.
Objective 7 – The school actively seeks the ongoing participation of the whole-school community in its approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Objective 8 – The school works in partnerships with other schools, agencies and available specialist services to support emotional wellbeing and mental health.
There are four key principles driving the ideas and recommendations behind the award:
- Emotional wellbeing and mental health are a continuum. Related issues can range from positive attitudes and behaviour, through to experiences of emotional distress and mental disorder.
- Schools already experience and manage emotional issues on a daily basis; the objective is to minimise the impact of such issues and maximise the effectiveness of any responses.
- Emotional wellbeing covers a range of dimensions, such as resilience, character building, relationships and self-esteem, etc. Understanding both developmental and mental health awareness is critical.
- Creating a positive school culture requires a whole-school approach that is led from the top while involving all in the school community.
Please contact the school if you would like to know more about the wellbeing award and how you can get involved.
