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

The 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 Lofthouse Gate has been ‘excelling’ across the plethora of competencies’ used as a framework for the award, and that the academy ‘has made a great deal of progress over the last twelve months and has used the framework and content of the Award to very good effect to further develop their mental health and wellbeing strategies, structures and practices from what was a relatively early starting point.’

During its assessment, the staff and leaders at the Canal Lane-based academy were found to be ‘passionate about providing a first-class curriculum and provision for all pupils within OPA Lofthouse Gate.’

Lynsey Hadfield, Principal at Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate, said:

“We are absolutely thrilled 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 who attend our academy are supported to be good assets to their community future, as well as being supported to achieve academically. 

“It is because of this aim that we strive to make sure the mental health and wellbeing of our children, and staff, are looked after. We take immense pride in receiving this award and the hard work by our brilliant staff that it recognises.”

Within the assessment report is glowing praise of the academy’s work during the coronavirus pandemic and its engagement with parents:

“The school highly values Parent Voice and continually looks to build on relationships with parents. Through lockdown and the barriers to face to face contact caused by Covid-19, the school has used virtual technology and social media extensively to maintain contact and relationships with families, holding fun challenges, putting together MHWB packages etc. Relationships with parents have improved significantly over the last 12 months due to strong leadership and a focus on improving engagement.”

Although the report praised the academy as being ‘a case study in itself of what can be achieved with leadership and passion, and a willingness to persevere,’ it also noted that the academy has plans to go beyond this. Plans are currently in place to develop the leadership capacity of others within the academy to ensure quality practice and provision.

Lynsey added:

“Being described as a case study of success was a very proud moment for us as an academy, but we are determined to not let this award be the end of our story. The praise we have received has encouraged us to press on with these with the same positive attitude that we have approached all our work.”

Pam Weeden, The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools coach and verifier, said: “OPA Lofthouse Gate has made tremendous progress over the last twelve months in designing and embedding a strategy and development plan for improving mental health and wellbeing throughout the whole school. 

“The enthusiasm of leaders is infectious and has been instrumental in driving improvements the school has made; it has been inspirational to hear about the work they have achieved in the timeframe.”