Higham Ferrers school wins mental health excellence award

A Northamptonshire secondary school has won an award for excellence in mental health.

The Ferrers School in Higham Ferrers has been awarded the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Bronze Award and was praised for its mental health and wellbeing practices.

Angela Smith, principal of The Ferrers School, said: "I am extremely proud of the entire Ferrers School community for showing such commitment to supporting staff and pupils.

"The work we have undertaken in school to promote and support mental health and wellbeing is, and will continue to have, a hugely positive impact."

The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Award lasts for three years and aims to support schools to make a positive change in strengthening staff and pupils' mental health.

The Ferrers School is part of the Cambridge Meridian Academies Trust (CMAT) and is the first school within the trust to be awarded the accreditation.

The school won the award because it demonstrated a community approach to mental health with policies that work towards improving wellbeing for staff and pupils within the wider school community.

Students have regular pupil voice surveys and the school works with external agencies to support children.

Staff have had regular meetings throughout lockdown and an 'open door' policy to raise concerns.

The award assessor said: "The school has used the framework and content of the award to good effect to develop their mental health and wellbeing strategies.

"Leaders and governors are working to ensure mental health and wellbeing is prioritised, especially in the light of the pandemic and return to school in September."

The Ferrers School now hopes to work towards the Silver Award by building on its existing practices. It will be recognised as a thought leader in school mental health and will be able to engage with other schools to share practices.

Ms Smith said: "Receiving acknowledgement for this work is fantastic, but the work does not stop now.

"We cannot wait to build on our success and strive for the silver award in 2021 to further support our students and staff."

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