Leys Primary School has been recognised for its outstanding work in promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across the whole school community.  

Deputy Headteacher, Richard Gough, and the school received the Wellbeing Award for Schools  and welcomed Councillor Evelyn Carpenter, Cabinet Member for Education and School Improvement to the presentation. 

Over the last year, the school has worked closely with the pupils on a number of wellbeing and mental health initiatives, including a community values wall which involves each student and staff member inserting a note with one thing they aspire to do in the future.

The school has also given the pupils a voice about what they think could help improve the general wellbeing and mental health of all at the school.

Mr Gough, Deputy Headteacher, commenting on winning the award said: “Achieving the award has been a united effort: staff, governors, parents and pupils have been motivated to be involved in a variety of ways – by sharing their opinions in questionnaires, supporting coffee mornings, fundraising days and special lunches - to name a few.

“At the forefront are the school Wellbeing Champions - members of our pupil, parent/carer, staff and governing body community (some of whom met with the award verifier), who are great ambassadors for our school.  The mutual efforts involved in achieving this award are a testament to the strength of belief in our school and its ethos: ‘Resilience to Achieve; Aspiration to Succeed.’  We shall display the award plaque with great pride and maintain the legacy of all that has been achieved so far.”  

Working with the Wellbeing Champions, the school has plans to continue their great work including the installation of wellbeing benches for pupils. 

After the award ceremony, Councillor Carpenter said: “I am really pleased that the school has won this award.  They have worked closely with pupils over the last year to make sure that mental health and wellbeing is at the forefront of everything they do.

“Many congratulations to all involved from the dedicated staff, supportive parents, governors and, of course, the pupils. I hope other schools will follow this great example”

Nine in ten Barking and Dagenham Schools are rated ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’.