Arthur Mellows Village College provides a wide range of activities to boost the wellbeing of pupils and staff, including MHFA England Mental Health First Aid training for all its staff; regular wellbeing sessions and peer mental health mentoring for students; access to specialist staff to support mental health; a wellbeing cafe during exam periods; a full array of clubs and activities that boost and prioritise mental health and wellbeing as well as many more things making wellbeing a central part of their culture and ethos as a school. Additionally, the school works closely with social services and the NHS's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to ensure that all young people receive the support they need to flourish in life.

The school has also had their work on mental health and wellbeing published in a national book; had students speak about the importance of wellbeing at two national conferences for educators at the NEC in Birmingham and in London as well as now sharing their work across the local community.  

Arthur Mellows Village College’s Head Teacher John Gilligan said “We are absolutely delighted. The Gold standard award reflects the strong culture of wellbeing and support in place for all within the Arthur Mellows Village College community”.

As part of the Four Cs Academy Trust, the award is part of the Trust’s wider commitment to ensure all schools in the Trust prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of their staff and pupils. CEO of the Four Cs Academy Trust, Mike Sandeman said “In a time when clarity of performance is difficult, this is a truly exceptional element of the work of AMVC and it should be recognised as a massive effort by Ms Kavanagh and her team to provide outstanding support to the student body”.

A focal point of the school’s mental health and wellbeing provision is to ensure that there is no barrier to mental health support for students or staff. Over the last 5 years there has been an investment in training key staff to be enabled to respond to all concerns has been an essential part of the strategy in the College, employing and embedding a whole school approach. Mentoring, training, working with parents, action groups, assemblies, external speakers as well as day to day positive reminders has been key to developing the provision offered.

The Senior Mental Health Lead and Deputy Headteacher at Arthur Mellows Village College, Emma Kavanagh said “I am so proud of the work we do in the College to support students and staff; it is essential for me that no student ever feels a barrier to the support they need. I have worked closely with students, staff and parents to develop our provisions and nurture a culture that is supportive and creates an environment where students can flourish and fly. This work will continue as we enhance provisions in day-to-day practice, mentoring and support for mental health.”

The award was established in 2017 by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools – part of Leeds Beckett University – and social enterprise Minds Ahead.

The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools aims to strengthen pupils’ mental health by supporting schools to make a positive change at all levels of the UK's education system, improving students’ outcomes and life chances.

Rachel C. Boyle, Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education, said: “The achievement of the Mental Health award is a demonstration of the school's significant commitment to improving children's and staff’s mental health and wellbeing. It is also a commitment to developing practices in school that seek to improve awareness and expertise in creating safe and secure learning environments in which all children can truly fulfil their potential. This award is one that all staff can be truly proud of”.

Nationally, more than 1400 schools have signed up to take part in the mental health award.

Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead said: “This award shines a light on the excellent work schools are doing to promote mental health for their community of children and adults.

“It is thrilling and humbling to learn about Arthur Mellows Village College and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”