Congratulations to St John Fisher Catholic Primary School in Knowsley Village – the first school in the borough to achieve the prestigious Wellbeing Award.
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School has worked its way through a specially designed framework focussing on emotional wellbeing and mental health, developed by the National Children’s Bureau and delivered by Optimus Education.
The Wellbeing Award is a nationally recognised programme and supported by charities such as the Anna Freud Centre, Young Minds, Heads Together and the Time to Change mental health campaign.
Looking after the emotional and mental wellbeing of pupils and staff
The school was assessed last week who confirmed that the school apply a ‘Whole School approach to Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health’.
Michelle Forrest, Head Teacher at St John Fisher Catholic Primary School, said: “I am incredibly proud to be the first school in Knowsley to achieve this prestigious accolade.
“Our achievement has been a great team effort with everyone working together at the school to ensure that the health and wellbeing of our staff and pupils is everyone’s business and that staff and pupils know where to go if they need help and support.”
Dr Sarah McNulty, Knowsley’s Director of Public Health, said: “This is a fantastic achievement in just 12 months. St John Fisher Catholic Primary School has demonstrated that they have effective practices and provision in place to promote the emotional wellbeing and mental health of both staff and pupils, with mental health embedded as everyone’s responsibility. Well done!”
To secure the Wellbeing Award, the school demonstrated their commitment to:
· Promoting mental health as part of every day school life.
· Improving the emotional wellbeing of their staff and pupils.
· Ensuring mental health problems are identified early and providing appropriate support.
· Offering support that matches the needs of pupils and staff.
· Raising awareness of how important mental health is.
· Asking parents, pupils and teachers for their opinions on mental health issues.
Colette Dutton, Knowsley Council’s Executive Director (Children’s Services), added: “Well done to everyone involved at the school who has contributed to this Award – governors, leadership team, teaching staff, pupils and their parents / carers. We know that a healthy mind and body can help to improve attainment and I’m delighted that St John Fisher Catholic Primary School has health and wellbeing embedded in every day school life.”