Schools recognised for approach to emotional health and wellbeing

Seven Wolverhampton schools have been awarded a special charter mark after demonstrating they take a 'whole school approach' to emotional health and wellbeing.

Certificates were awarded to Broadmeadow Special School, Bushbury Hill Primary School, Dovecotes Primary School, Loxdale Primary School, Rakegate Primary School, St Edmund's Catholic Academy and St Regis CE Academy at a ceremony at the Wolverhampton Education Wellbeing Network in February. 

The City of Wolverhampton Council’s Educational Psychology Service was commissioned by the Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Government-funded Mental Health Support Teams initiative, known as Reflexions locally, to increase access to specialist support in schools. It aims to support Senior Mental Health Leads in schools to further develop their whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing, with the Sandwell Wellbeing Charter Mark selected as an evidence-based approach which supports schools to embed good practice.

Dr Rebecca Glazzard, Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist with the City of Wolverhampton Council's Educational Psychology Service, coordinated a 12-month process of auditing, planning and reviewing practice in these areas with the seven schools.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "We were delighted to award the Sandwell Charter Mark to seven schools in the city for their commitment to promoting the wellbeing of pupils, staff and parents and carers.

"We look forward to awarding more in the summer term to schools which are in the process of completing the Charter Mark this term."

Mrs Proffitt, Designated Safeguarding Lead at Broadmeadow Special School, said: “We have really enjoyed the process and demonstrating our practice through pupil and parent focus groups, observations, school walk throughs and hard data. It really highlights that our school community has so much to be proud of.”

Mrs Adeogun, Senior Mental Health Lead at Bushbury Hill Primary School, added: “We are really grateful for the support and challenge you have provided us in helping us to improve mental health and wellbeing provision in our school and beyond.”

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education, presents Charter Marks to Mrs Rowley, Assistant Principal, St Regis CE Academy, Miss Appleyard, Assistant SENCo, St Regis CE Academy, Mrs Kinsey, SENCo, Rakegate Primary School, Mrs Hanley, Pastoral Manager, Loxdale Primary School, Mrs Roderick, SENCo, St Edmund's Catholic Academy, Miss Evans, Senior Academy Counsellor, St Edmund's Catholic Academy, Miss Challenor, Headteacher, Dovecotes Primary School, Mrs Proffitt, Designated Safeguard Lead, Broadmeadow Special School, and Mrs Underwood, Headteacher, Bushbury Hill Primary School.