Here at Ferrars, we value the mental health and well-being of all our pupils, staff, parents, carers and everyone in our school community. For the past year, Ferrars has been working towards achieving the Wellbeing award for Schools. We signed up to this award to further develop our work to promote positive wellbeing and mental health for the whole school community and gain accreditation for the work we have already done. It also ties in with our school values where we communicate well, show respect, are kind, caring and considerate and strive for excellence.

Achieving this award requires the involvement of all members of the school community: staff, parents, pupils, and partner organisations beyond the school gates. As we have gone through our journey, we have been listening to all parts of the school and beyond to understand the challenges they face and how we can best support them. 

 The Change Team

About the Wellbeing Award for Schools

We are pleased to inform you that our school is currently undergoing the reverification process for the Wellbeing Award for Schools.

The Wellbeing Award for Schools recognises outstanding work in promoting mental health and wellbeing within school communities across England. It supports schools in creating a culture where mental health can thrive, and helps them develop strategies for improving student wellbeing. The award focuses on ensuring effective practice and provision is in place that promotes the emotional wellbeing and mental health of for pupils, staff and parents. The award will enable us to develop these practices where necessary and help us to ensure that wellbeing is embedded in the long-term culture of our school. It will help us to create an environment where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.

When we have achieved the award, we will have demonstrated our commitment to:
–  Promoting mental health as part of everyday school life
–  Improving the emotional wellbeing of our staff, pupils, parents and carers
–  Ensuring mental health problems are identified early and appropriate support provided
–  Offering provision and interventions that matches the needs of our pupils and staff
–  Promoting the importance of mental health awareness
–  Capturing the views of parents, pupils and staff on mental health issues

We are incredibly proud that in 2023 our school was awarded the Wellbeing Award for Schools. A huge thank you to Staff, Pupils, Parents and Governors who contributed throughout this journey.

Our Well Being Award Updates 

 2021 – 2022
Autumn Term
This term we completed our self-evaluation and found that we were amber in a few areas.
We have also identified a change team. The change team coordinate the process of achieving the
award. A whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health is a collaborative one
and the Change Team will drive engagement and provide ongoing communication to the whole
school community. The shared wisdom of this group will be a key source of insight into the best
ways forward.

Spring Term
This term we have shared questionnaires with pupils, parents and staff.
Analysis has shown:
Pupils – wanted more opportunities to talk and share their feelings. Some pupils felt that they did
not have a trusted adult and some felt that there wasn’t a safe space to talk in school.
Parents – require more communication in general. They would also like more opportunities to come
into school.
Staff – require more opportunities for training.

Summer Term
This term we were visit by Angie Moore, a WAS Verifier/Adviser. The visit was to monitor our
progress towards the award. The visit went very well and we were pleased with the outcome.
As a result of this meeting, we annotated our action plan and completed a new plan to ensure the
remaining objectives were covered. The Change team also expanded as a result of this meeting.
We have also sourced some free training and shared this with all staff.

2022 – 2023
Autumn Term
The term we have been meeting regularly as a Change Team. These meetings have been valuable in
taking views from each year group representatives.
We held a whole school Launch event in September. This was launch our school vision and values.
The event was also an opportunity to share information about the Wellbeing Award. We had over
200 parents attend this event.
This term we have held two staff wellbeing sessions. Staff were invited for hot chocolate before the
half term and a Christmas Party was organised for all staff.
Mrs McCullagh has been busy meeting with individuals and small groups providing pastoral care. She
has also been liaising with CHUMs for further support in school.

Spring Term
This term we have been busy working with our new wellbeing champions and training has begun.
We have been following the Shanarri principles and our children have been learning how to support
their peers.

Summer Term
This term we focussed on the transition of the year 6 pupils moving onto high school and the new
intake of year 2 pupils coming from our local infant school.
The high schools visited and met with our pupils and there were opportunities for the pupils to visit
the high schools. They participated in some science and sports activities.

2023 – 2024
Autumn Term
This term Mrs McCullagh and Mrs McDade were fortunate to attend several CPD session relating to
emotional wellbeing and mental health, for example CHUMS and the Level Trust Conference.
We have been lucky this year to be included in the MHST initiative. This means that the school will
have a link support worker who will liaise with the school and hold regular consultations, support for
parents and pupils and staff CPD.

Spring Term
This term Mrs McCullagh began her ELSA training. She has been busy learning the theory on how to
deliver ELSA sessions.

Summer Term
This term, Mrs McCullagh has begun working with some children as part of her ELSA training. We
have developed a referral form, parent information leaflet and an evaluation form. Feedback has
been great.

2024 – 2025
Autumn Term
Our Year 3 pupils have settled well and we have started a few ‘Time to Shine’ interventions to boost
the self esteem of some individuals.
Every Year 3 child has spent some time in the Wellbeing Room and have got to know Mrs McCullagh
and Mrs Dade well. They have played some games and completed some ‘All About Me’ worksheets.
It has been great getting to know them.
This term, we can announce that Mrs McCullagh has successfully completed her ELSA training.
Congratulations!

Spring Term
This term Mrs McCullagh will ELSA supervision time where she will meet with other ELSA’s from
around the town and discus and share good practice. Mrs Turner has begun her ELSA training.

Summer Term
This term we focussed on the transition of the year 6 pupils moving onto high school and the new
intake of year 2 pupils coming from our local infant school.
The Year 2’s have visited on several occasions and we have identified a Target Group who will
receive additional support and visits.

2025 – 2026
Autumn Term
This term we have started the reassessment process for the Wellbeing Award. Mrs McDade and Mrs
McCullagh are busy collating evidence.
Our Year 3 pupils have settled well and we have started a few ‘Time to Shine’ interventions to boost
the self esteem of some individuals.
Every Year 3 child has spent some time in the Wellbeing Room and have got to know Mrs McCullagh
and Mrs Dade well. They have played some games and completed some ‘All About Me’ worksheets.
It has been great getting to know them.
We have also been lucky enough to welcome Mr Islam back from Luton Town Football Club to work
with some of our boys in year 5 and 6.

Spring Term
This term we welcome the CHUMS ENCORE team to work with a group year 4 pupils to build their
resilience and self-esteem. At the end of their programmes, the children performed a piece of music
to a group of children and staff. It was amazing.
This term, Mr Islam has been working with a group of year 4 boys.