Why the academy chose the award

Ormiston Park Academy recognises that emotional wellbeing and mental health are fundamental to helping students achieve, raise their aspirations and reach their full potential.

The Wellbeing Award for Schools provided the academy with an opportunity to audit its existing approach, listen to the experiences of students, staff and families, and identify areas for further development.

The academy has experienced a number of challenges in recent years, including changes in leadership, which had an impact on wellbeing. The Award process helped leaders and staff understand these challenges, respond to stakeholder feedback and strengthen their whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health.

The journey

Throughout the Award process, Ormiston Park Academy demonstrated a clear commitment to making wellbeing a shared responsibility across the academy.

The verifier highlighted how effectively the academy uses feedback from students, staff and parents to shape its provision. Importantly, the academy does not simply gather feedback. It communicates changes back to stakeholders so they can see that their views have been heard and acted upon.

Wellbeing is embedded across policies, curriculum and day-to-day practice. Staff use assemblies, tutor time and enrichment activities to raise awareness and reduce stigma around emotional wellbeing and mental health, while inclusive and restorative approaches are reflected throughout school life.

The academy has also strengthened its safeguarding provision, expanded its range of wellbeing interventions and developed links with external support services, including the local Mental Health Support Team.

Key achievements

1. Wellbeing embedded across academy life

Emotional wellbeing and mental health are embedded throughout Ormiston Park Academy's policies and provision.

Leaders and staff have clear and well-understood responsibilities for wellbeing, with opportunities to promote positive mental health built into the curriculum, assemblies, tutor time and enrichment activities.

The verifier noted that the academy has created a calm, safe and purposeful environment, with warm and respectful interactions between students and staff.

2. Listening and responding to student voice

Student voice plays an important role in shaping wellbeing provision.

The academy has introduced meaningful changes as a result of feedback from students, including improvements to approaches such as greeting students and restorative responses to challenging behaviour.

Students reported that they feel more confident that they can get help at school if they are worried or unhappy. They also understand where and how to seek support, with a range of reporting mechanisms available, including the opportunity to communicate anonymously through the Whisper app.

Student wellbeing champions also play an important role, supporting awareness campaigns, organising assemblies and events, providing peer mentoring and contributing to discussions around policies and reporting systems.

3. Supporting a diverse community

Ormiston Park Academy has a strong understanding of the needs of its diverse community, including the impact of significant levels of socio-economic deprivation.

The verifier particularly praised the academy's analysis of key characteristics and its understanding of the relationship between factors such as socio-economic deprivation and low self-esteem.

The academy recognises the importance of positive relationships, both in school and at home, in supporting students' wellbeing and improving outcomes.

4. Targeted support that makes a difference

The academy offers a broad range of interventions to support student wellbeing, with information about available support made clear and accessible.

Interventions are monitored and their effectiveness tracked in detail. The verification report highlighted improvements in both behaviour and attendance alongside the academy's increased focus on emotional wellbeing and mental health.

The academy's dedicated SEND department includes The Hub, a nurture space available to any student who needs additional support during the school day. The library also provides a calm environment where students can take part in activities such as chess and knitting.

5. Investing in staff wellbeing

Staff wellbeing is recognised as an important part of the academy's whole-school approach.

Wellbeing is included in line manager discussions with all staff, while a comprehensive programme of emotional wellbeing and mental health CPD supports colleagues with their own wellbeing and with managing stress.

Staff reported that provision for their own wellbeing has improved significantly and that leaders are approachable. The academy also provides supervision for key staff, and leaders cover lunchtime duties to ensure colleagues can take proper breaks.

The verifier noted the care and commitment shown by staff towards student wellbeing, while staff also described feeling warmly welcomed and supported.

6. Working with families and external partners

The academy recognises that positive relationships with families are closely linked to wellbeing, attendance and behaviour.

Newsletters, information evenings, coffee mornings and communication platforms including Arbor and Satchel help the academy maintain strong communication with parents and carers.

Parents are also involved in planning social events, and the academy has made changes in response to their feedback.

The academy has developed effective relationships with a broad range of external support services and works closely with the local Mental Health Support Team to strengthen the support available to students and families.

Impact

The verification highlighted clear evidence that wellbeing is becoming embedded across Ormiston Park Academy.

Students described feeling welcome and safe, with Year 7 students particularly highlighting the kindness and helpfulness of staff. The verifier was also impressed by the kindness students showed towards each other.

Staff feedback was described as excellent, particularly considering the challenges the academy has experienced. Parent feedback has also improved significantly, including parents' understanding of the academy's priorities and the support available.

The academy's increased focus on emotional wellbeing and mental health has taken place alongside improvements in behaviour and attendance, while case studies demonstrated positive outcomes for vulnerable students.

Most importantly, the verification found that wellbeing is not the responsibility of one individual or team. It is supported by leaders, teachers, support staff, students, families and external partners across the academy.

In their words

'I am immensely proud that Ormiston Park Academy has been awarded the Wellbeing Award for Schools, a prestigious recognition of our unwavering commitment to fostering a culture where wellbeing is valued, prioritised and embedded in every aspect of academy life.'

Munira Said, Principal, Ormiston Park Academy

Munira also highlighted the academy's commitment to initiatives including breakfast provision, Wellbeing Wednesdays for staff and on-site wellbeing support, alongside its focus on listening and responding to students, staff and families.

She described the Award as a reflection of the "dedication, care and compassion of our entire community" and emphasised the academy's ambition to continue developing its wellbeing provision.

Next steps

Ormiston Park Academy recognises that wellbeing is an ongoing journey.

The academy's next steps include continuing to develop positive relationships between staff and students, including encouraging informal daily check-ins with students.

The academy also plans to roll out Zones of Regulation more widely across the academy, building on its existing use within the SEND department. Students and staff will be involved in evaluating its impact.

Leaders remain committed to reviewing and developing wellbeing provision in the short, medium and long term.

Conclusion

Ormiston Park Academy demonstrates how a whole-school commitment to emotional wellbeing can create meaningful change across an academy community.

By listening to students, staff and families, responding to feedback and providing targeted support, the academy has created an environment where students feel safe, supported and able to seek help when they need it.

The Wellbeing Award for Schools recognises this commitment and provides a platform for Ormiston Park Academy to continue strengthening its approach to wellbeing over the years ahead.

Interested in achieving the same impact?

The Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS) helps schools develop a whole-school culture where emotional wellbeing and mental health are prioritised, supported by strong systems, engaged staff and a shared vision across the school community.

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