A secondary school in Stockton-on-Tees has been awarded Silver 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 Harrowgate Lane-based academy was providing ‘consistent, fair, and explicit’ support for both its students and staff with regards to their mental wellbeing.

Gemma Trattles, Lead Principal at Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth, said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded Silver Status. It is a phenomenal achievement for the academy and it recognises the hard work and dedication 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.”

The report also praised the work the academy has done since the beginning of the pandemic to help support not only its students but also their families. It found that the parents had ‘responded very positively to the support offered by the school to both pupils and families during school lockdown periods.’

Mark Robinson, Head of School at Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth, added:

“We are all acutely aware of how difficult the last year has been for everyone during the pandemic. We take our role as not only educators, but as members of the local community, extremely seriously and we want our students, and their families, to know we are here for them, to support them as best we can.”

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 Outwood Academy Bishopsgarth in this vital work and look forward to further collaboration.”