OPA Ledger Lane Recognised For ‘Excelling’ In Mental Health Work

A Wakefield-based primary 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 Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane has been ‘excelling across all eight competencies’ used as a framework for the award, and that ‘the school has made a great deal of progress over the last twelve months.’

Despite the ongoing circumstances surrounding the pandemic, the academy was praised for its work in dealing with it as the report that ‘there is a strong family feel within the school and an emphasis on working together which was maintained throughout the Covid-19 lockdown.’

Rachael Skirrow, Principal at Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded Gold Status. 

“At Outwood we believe in putting children first and this goes beyond just academically. We want to ensure the children we teach are supported to be good citizens who are assets to the community, as well as being supported to achieve academically. 

“To this aim, we want to make sure their mental health and wellbeing is looked after. The ongoing pandemic has only increased the importance of this work. It has been a tough time for everyone and it is so important that we all look out for one another.”

Within the assessment report is glowing praise of the academy’s work with parents both during and after lockdown to ease the transition back into school for children:

‘During Lockdown, the academy made use of Google Classrooms to deliver online learning; this ensured children had access to a classroom environment and could still see their friends, albeit virtually. Whilst the significant majority of children have adapted well to returning to school full time in September, where there have been concerns, the academy has been proactive in working with families to plan for a phased return and adapted timetable, gradually leading up to full time return.’

The academy’s work with staff was also praised within the report, particularly the fact that the academy has ‘a range of people trained in various aspects including Mental Health First Aid,’ before labelling the academy as ‘leaders in the field in many respects and in a variety of ways.’

Rachael added:

“We take immense pride in receiving this award and the hard work by our brilliant staff that it recognises. We simply want to help as many people as we can, and not just the children we teach, but also the local community.”

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 Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane 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 Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”