Issues identified by the Wellbeing Award for Schools 

The Wellbeing Award for Schools helped us identify several key areas for improvement within our community. One significant issue was the need for a more structured and comprehensive approach to supporting staff emotional wellbeing and mental health. Through the award process, we recognised gaps in staff training on stress management and emotional resilience, which we addressed through targeted CPD and resources like the Mantra Care app.

Additionally, the award highlighted the importance of engaging parents and students more actively in wellbeing initiatives. We identified a need for clearer communication and collaboration with parents regarding mental health support and implemented parent workshops, surveys, and feedback mechanisms to bridge this gap.

Finally, it underscored the necessity of creating robust systems, such as the Red Alert list and worry boxes, to ensure timely identification and intervention for student needs.

Changes made 

As a result of pursuing the Wellbeing Award for Schools, we implemented several meaningful changes:

• Enhanced Staff Wellbeing Support: introduced the Mantra Care app to provide staff with resources for stress management, mindfulness, and emotional resilience. Upgraded staff spaces, including a wellness room with amenities such as a massage chair and relaxation tools, to promote a positive and calming work environment. Organised regular team-building activities, such as ‘You’ve Been Mugged’ and Coffee Thursdays, to foster a sense of camaraderie and appreciation.
• Improved Systems for Supporting Students: developed and actively utilised a Red Alert list to ensure timely identification and intervention for students with emotional or mental health concerns. Introduced worry boxes and counsellor referral forms, giving students multiple avenues to seek support.
• Increased Parental Involvement: conducted parent workshops on stress management and emotional wellbeing to empower families to support their children more effectively. Enhanced communication through regular surveys and feedback mechanisms, allowing parents to actively contribute to the school’s wellbeing initiatives.
• Ongoing Professional Development: established a comprehensive CPD plan focused on mental health and wellbeing, including training via platforms like Bluesky and National College. Integrated mental health awareness into staff onboarding and professional growth programs.

These changes have led to a more cohesive, inclusive, and supportive environment for our entire school community.

Impact at Newton International Academy

The changes we implemented as a result of the Wellbeing Award for Schools has had a profound impact across our school community:

• For Students: students feel more supported and confident in expressing their emotions, as evidenced by increased engagement with worry boxes and counselling services. Emotional wellbeing initiatives, such as Character Education lessons and sensory rooms, have enhanced their ability to manage emotions and build resilience, contributing to a more positive learning environment.
• For Staff: staff report feeling more valued and supported, as highlighted in feedback surveys following initiatives like the wellness room, team-building activities, and stress management workshops. The improved focus on staff wellbeing has led to increased morale and a more collaborative work environment, resulting in enhanced productivity and engagement.
• For Parents: parents have expressed greater trust and collaboration with the school through workshop attendance and survey feedback. This partnership has strengthened the home-school connection, fostering a more cohesive support system for students.
• For the School Community: the culture of wellbeing is now deeply embedded in our daily practices, creating a stronger sense of belonging and shared responsibility among students, staff, and families. Proactive systems like the Red Alert list and regular wellbeing check-ins have allowed us to address issues early, reducing the escalation of challenges and promoting a healthier overall community.

The collective impact of these changes has been a noticeable improvement in emotional wellbeing, resilience, and engagement across all areas of the school.

Direct impact on pupil achievement

The achievement of the Wellbeing Award for Schools has positively influenced pupil achievement in several ways:

• Improved Focus and Engagement: by addressing emotional wellbeing through initiatives like worry boxes, sensory rooms, and Character Education lessons, students are better able to regulate their emotions and focus on learning. This has resulted in increased participation and engagement in class activities.
• Enhanced Confidence and Resilience: wellbeing interventions have empowered students to approach challenges with greater resilience. This has led to improved performance in assessments and classroom tasks, as students are more willing to take risks and persevere through difficulties.
• Stronger Home-School Support: parent workshops and enhanced communication have equipped families with strategies to support learning at home, reinforcing academic progress and consistency between school and home environments.
• Reduction in Behavioural Disruptions: early identification and intervention for emotional or mental health concerns, facilitated by tools like the Red Alert list and counsellor referrals, have reduced behavioural issues. This creates a more conducive environment for learning, benefiting all pupils.
• Holistic Development: the integration of emotional wellbeing into the curriculum, such as through P4C sessions and wellbeing assemblies, has supported the development of critical thinking, empathy, and collaboration skills - traits that directly enhance academic achievement.

Overall, the award has reinforced our commitment to nurturing the whole child, creating a ripple effect where emotional wellbeing and academic success go hand in hand.

In their words 

“Achieving the Wellbeing Award for Schools has been a transformative milestone for Newton International Academy, Barwa City. This process has strengthened our commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where students, staff, and parents thrive together. The framework provided by the award has guided us in embedding emotional wellbeing and mental health into the heart of our school culture. We’ve witnessed the incredible impact of this journey - from students feeling more confident and supported, to staff experiencing a renewed sense of value and belonging. It has united our community around a shared vision of care and resilience, and the positive changes are already evident in our daily practices and relationships. I highly recommend this award to any school looking to make emotional wellbeing a priority. It is not just an accolade but a meaningful journey that empowers schools to create lasting change for their communities.”

Headteacher, Newton International Academy Barwa 

Looking ahead 

Newton International Academy Barwa is focused on:

• Sustainability and Reassessment Preparation: we will continue to update and maintain our wellbeing portfolio, ensuring that our initiatives remain effective and aligned with the award’s standards in preparation for reassessment in three years.
• Further Embedding Wellbeing Practices: strengthen the integration of emotional wellbeing across the curriculum, particularly through expanding initiatives like Character Education and P4C sessions. Continue training staff on mental health awareness and support through targeted CPD opportunities, ensuring all team members have the skills to promote wellbeing.
• Increased Parental and Community Engagement: offer more workshops and resources for parents, such as stress management and mental health awareness sessions, to further strengthen the home - school partnership. Build on community links by collaborating with external agencies like Aman and Flourishing Minds to bring fresh perspectives and expertise to our wellbeing efforts.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: implement more frequent feedback mechanisms, such as regular wellbeing surveys for staff, students, and parents, to identify emerging needs and adapt our approaches accordingly. Use platforms like MyConcern and Komodo to track and analyse trends in emotional wellbeing, ensuring timely and effective interventions.
• Celebrating Wellbeing Achievements: share our success and best practices with other schools through case studies and networking events to inspire broader adoption of wellbeing initiatives. Regularly celebrate staff and student contributions to wellbeing through recognition events and awards to maintain momentum and motivation.

By taking these steps, we aim to ensure that emotional wellbeing remains a cornerstone of our school culture, benefiting all members of our community.

How would Newton International Academy Barwa describe the whole experience from start to finish and achieving the award?

The journey to achieving the Wellbeing Award for Schools has been both transformative and rewarding for our entire school community. From the very beginning, the process encouraged us to reflect deeply on our existing practices and identify areas for growth. It brought to light the importance of a structured, whole - school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health, aligning all stakeholders toward a common vision of care and support. The experience was collaborative at its core. Staff, students, and parents came together to contribute ideas, share feedback, and actively engage in wellbeing initiatives. This unity fostered a strong sense of ownership and pride across the community. Implementing the changes required commitment and adaptability, but seeing the tangible impact on our students, staff, and families made every effort worthwhile. It was particularly gratifying to witness increased student confidence, stronger parent partnerships, and improved staff morale as our initiatives took root. Achieving the award was a moment of celebration and validation. It affirmed that our school is a thriving, supportive environment where emotional wellbeing is prioritised. More importantly, it reinforced our commitment to sustaining this momentum and continually evolving to meet the needs of our community. Overall, this journey has been a testament to the power of teamwork, reflection, and shared purpose. It has left us with not only an accolade but also a lasting legacy of wellbeing that will continue to shape our school’s culture and success.

Would Newton International Academy Barwa recommend the award?

We wholeheartedly recommend the Wellbeing Award for Schools to any school considering this transformative journey. The award process provides a structured framework that encourages schools to reflect deeply on their practices and prioritise emotional wellbeing and mental health. It’s not just about meeting criteria - it’s about creating meaningful, sustainable change that benefits every member of the school community. For us, the award served as a catalyst to align staff, students, and parents around a shared vision of care and support. It opened up opportunities for collaboration, introduced new systems for identifying and addressing wellbeing needs, and created a culture where mental health is openly discussed and proactively supported. The process may seem daunting at first, but it’s incredibly rewarding. It’s a journey that develops growth, builds resilience within the school community, and delivers tangible benefits, such as increased staff morale, stronger home - school partnerships, and improved student engagement and confidence. We especially valued the comprehensive support provided by the award framework, which guided us every step of the way, from initial planning to implementation and evaluation. The self - assessment tools and feedback mechanisms were invaluable in driving continuous improvement. If a school is ready to make a long-term commitment to fostering wellbeing, this award provides the roadmap to make it happen. It’s not just an achievement - it’s a legacy that will shape the future of your school and create a healthier, happier community for years to come.

Interested in achieving the same impact? 

The Wellbeing Award for Schools helps schools like Newton create lasting change by embedding emotional health and wellbeing into the whole school community. Find out more about the award and how your school can begin its journey today.