Why the school chose the award

The Wellbeing Award for Schools provides schools with a framework to embed emotional wellbeing and mental health (EWMH) across all areas of school life.

The Parkland Federation undertook reassessment to further strengthen its whole-school wellbeing culture, ensuring pupils, staff and families feel supported, included and valued. The process also enabled the school to reflect on stakeholder feedback, review provision and continue developing targeted wellbeing support across the federation.

Key achievements

1. Whole-school commitment to wellbeing

• Emotional wellbeing and mental health are central to the school’s vision and provision.
• Governors and senior leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting pupils, staff and families.
• Policies, audits, surveys, training and stakeholder feedback are used to continuously review and improve provision.
• The school has developed strong partnerships with external wellbeing providers, including the Mental Health Support Team.

2. Pupil voice and emotional literacy

• Pupil voice is embedded throughout the school through surveys, conferencing and regular wellbeing check-ins.
• Staff use visual communication tools and card images to help children express emotions and identify support needs.
• Feedback from pupils directly informs changes across the school environment and wellbeing provision.
• The scenario-based Let’s Talk PSHE programme helps pupils discuss emotions, develop self-awareness and improve emotional literacy.
• Children support one another through playground buddy roles and leadership opportunities.

3. Trauma-informed and therapeutic approaches

• The school’s behaviour policy is trauma informed, supported by staff training in therapeutic thinking, Thrive approaches, EBSA and self-regulation.
• Calm corners in classrooms provide safe spaces and resources to help pupils manage anxiety and emotions.
• Provision includes art therapy, play therapy, counselling and ELSA-led interventions.
• External coaches and targeted transition support help pupils build confidence, friendships and resilience.

4. Strong support for families and staff

• Parents praised the welcoming and supportive culture across the school.
• Workshops and coffee mornings provide guidance on areas including neurodiversity, healthy eating, sleep and emotional wellbeing.
• Communication with families is supported through the mySchool app and proactive engagement from staff.
• Staff wellbeing is prioritised through regular surveys, recognition initiatives, celebration events and access to an Employee Assistance Programme including counselling support.

5. Creating environments that promote wellbeing

• The school has introduced a range of wellbeing-focused spaces, including sensory areas, therapy spaces and improved staff wellbeing facilities.
• A former caretaker’s cottage has been transformed into a hub for Breakfast Club, after-school provision, parent events and therapeutic support.
• The school’s growing menagerie, including goats, bees, llamas, ducks and guinea pigs, supports pupil wellbeing and engagement.
• The newly introduced Bee Curriculum links wellbeing with science, nature and environmental learning.

Impact at The Parkland Federation

• Pupils feel safe, supported and confident discussing their emotions and wellbeing needs.
• Parents value the school’s strong communication and inclusive, welcoming environment.
• Staff report feeling appreciated and supported within a positive culture of gratitude.
• Therapeutic and trauma-informed approaches have strengthened emotional support across the school community.
• Wellbeing provision continues to evolve through stakeholder feedback, external partnerships and ongoing reflection.

In their words

“We are thrilled to receive the Wellbeing Award for Schools for another three years and appreciated the assessor's insightful, fair, and supportive approach during the reassessment process. We are pleased to see that the report captures our dedication to emotional wellbeing and look forward to reflecting on the recommendations provided to further support the pupils who attend our schools.”

Sally Simpson, Headteacher, The Parkland Federation

Looking ahead

The Parkland Federation plans to build on this success by:

• Continuing to strengthen whole-school wellbeing provision.
• Embedding emotional wellbeing and mental health further into staff appraisal processes.
• Expanding opportunities for stakeholder feedback and pupil voice.
• Developing additional wellbeing support for pupils, families and staff.
• Continuing to work closely with external wellbeing providers and local services.

Interested in achieving the same impact?

The Wellbeing Award for Schools helps schools develop a sustainable, whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health. It provides a framework to strengthen pupil support, staff wellbeing, family engagement and inclusive practice.

👉 Find out more about the award and how your school can begin its wellbeing journey today.