School Mental Health Award

At Oulton Academy, we believe it is vital that all members of the community know how to look after their mental health. We aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our student body and staff.  

The importance of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) is recognised within the School Development Plan with the aim of creating a successful Mental Wellbeing Strategy to ensure that students receive the mental health support they need quickly and efficiently and develop an environment where all students feel happy and are able to flourish.

‘The Academy has presented a detailed profile of evidence that demonstrates they are Excelling across all eight competencies of the School Mental Health Award. The school has used the framework and content of the Award to good effect to develop their mental health and wellbeing strategies, structures, and practices.’

Dr Rose Blackman-Hegan

The Department for Education recognises the direct link between positive mental health in schools and successful educational outcomes; the Mental Health Award for Schools builds on this link and provides a framework for educational institutions to evidence policies and initiatives that work towards improving emotional health and wellbeing for both staff and pupils.

The award ensures schools are using evidence-based approaches that align to professional and government guidelines. Utilising a developmental framework, which allows schools to evaluate current mental health practices, identify gaps, develop and strengthen these and work towards building an emotionally healthier environment. Through this process, schools commit to making mental health a strategic priority and developing a positive culture that promotes mental well-being for everyone.

"Supporting schools through the award is always a real privilege as it’s a vehicle for sustainable change with children right at its heart. Staff feel empowered by the process and take their whole school approach to mental health forwards in leaps and bounds; quickly but in ways that will be felt by the whole community over time."

Dr Pooky Knightsmith 

The award takes a whole school approach to mental health and covers eight key areas, each with a series of statements that schools will use to self-evaluate their current practice.

The eight areas are:

1. Leadership and strategy
2. Organisational structure and culture – staff
3. Organisational structure and culture – pupils
4. Support for staff
5. Support for pupils
6. Staff professional development and learning
7. Working with parents and carers
8. Working with external services

Oulton Academy values the award because:

1. Improves pupil and staff self-confidence, resilience and mental health
2. Improves pupil outcomes
3. Creates a culture of awareness of mental health, tolerance and acceptance, helping to reduce behavioural problems and promotes positive mental health strategies
4. Increases staff retention rates and attracts high calibre staff
5. Demonstrates commitment to adhere to professional and government guidance