In conjunction with the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools based at Leeds Beckett University, The Earls High School is delighted to confirm that we have recently been award the School Mental Health Award – Silver Status.
The Department of Education recognises the direct link between positive mental health in schools and successful education outcomes; the Mental Health Award for Schools builds on this link and provides a framework to evidence policies and interventions that work towards improving the emotional health and wellbeing for both staff and students.
Paul Ramage, Deputy Headteacher and Mental Health Lead said, “Good relationships and connections are at the heart of our school, and the award framework challenged us to take a more structured approach to build on the strong culture of care already present at The Earls.”
The report recognised that “staff are open and able to discuss issues; they feel supported and that filters down to the children. Staff are skilled at spotting mental health issues and know what to do when they spot them.” Since Covid, the school has significantly increased the number of staff trained in adolescent mental health first aid and this has strengthened first line support. The report goes on to state that “a particular strength of the school […] is children and parents knowing what’s available to them, making the services easier to access, and staff knowing how to provide the support.”
Headteacher Jamie Fox, said, “We appreciate that schools have a crucial role to play in supporting the wellbeing of students and giving them the skills they need to thrive in our modern world. At The Earls High School we put the care of our students at the centre of everything we do and it is very satisfying that our work has been recognised by the Carnegie School of Education.