A Northumberland secondary has been recognised for its work to help break down barriers surrounding mental health.
Cramlington Learning Village has become the sixth secondary school in the region to be presented with the Wellbeing Award for Schools.
The award is given to schools that promote exceptional dedication to the promotion of mental health and wellbeing for its staff and students.
Once a fortnight, students will meet to discuss important topics such as drugs, alcohol and unhealthy eating habits. Older students have talks on sexual health and gambling addictions.
Colin Noble, lead advisor and verifier for the Wellbeing Award, said: “I have the pleasure and privilege of observing outstanding practice in schools throughout the north of England, and abroad. Cramlington Learning Village is up there among the best.
“One of the most effective ways in which any school can promote the wellbeing and positive mental health of the people who work and learn there is to make them feel that they belong. Cramlington does that very well.”
The school, which has around 2,100 pupils, has achieved this through a variety of resources, including two full-time counsellors and a teacher becoming a designated mental health first aider.
The school said that this has helped boost pupil's confidence and share problems which they may have previously kept to themselves.
Zoe Clay, the lead for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), said: “Our school has always considered emotional development and well-being as an important part of school life.
“We wanted to develop a strategy for improving the wellbeing of our community in order for us to provide a more holistic approach to education in school.”
