A Hemsworth-based secondary school has been awarded Gold Status by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health Award.

This award, led by Carnegie School of Education and Minds Ahead CIC, ensures schools are using evidence-based approaches, aligned to the latest professional guidelines surrounding mental health.

The assessment report found that the progress made at ���ϳԹ��� Hemsworth ‘from the start of the programme to this point is exemplary and the lead staff are rightly proud of their school.’

During its assessment, the Wakefield Road-based academy was found to have provided ‘relentless’ support for its staff, students and their families during the pandemic. 

Toby Rutter, Principal at ���ϳԹ��� Hemsworth, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to have been awarded Gold Status. It really is an exceptional achievement for the academy and it recognises the hard work of our students and staff.

“At Outwood we are dedicated to putting students first and this goes beyond just academically. We want to ensure our students are supported and are good citizens when they leave us, as well as achieving academically. 

“To this aim, we want to make sure their mental health and wellbeing is looked after. We take immense pride in receiving this award and look forward to continuing to support our staff and students as best we can.”

Within the assessment report is glowing praise of the academy’s support system and its team of ‘Mental Health Champions’:

“This supports pupils through sign-posting, events, and teaching. Support for staff comes from a comprehensive well-being programme with guidance and training around managing their own mental health. Counselling and coaching is available through trained teachers, and the return to school after the COVID-19 closure was accompanied by training via BUPA and the Carnegie Centre for Excellence in Mental Health.”

The academy is currently in the process of developing its already impressive support system, working with national organisations such as Young Minds Teacher Insight Group, as it continues to improve its strategies in this area.

The award was established in 2017 by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools – part of Leeds Beckett University – and social enterprise Minds Ahead.

The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools aims to strengthen pupils’ mental health by supporting schools to make a positive change at all levels of the UK's education system, improving students’ outcomes and life chances.

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 ���ϳԹ��� Hemsworth in this vital work and look forward to further collaboration.”

Nationally, more than 800 schools have signed up to take part in the 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 ���ϳԹ��� Hemsworth and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”