Loreto College are delighted to share that they have been awarded Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Further Education Mental Health Award at Gold level, the highest level of the award.

The college has been recognised for its evidence-based approach to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of students and staff at the college and was assessed as ‘excelling’ in all 8 competencies of the award.  It was noted that ‘the college has used the framework and content of the award to excellent effect to develop their mental health and wellbeing strategies, structures, and practices’.

Michael Jaffrain, Principal at Loreto said, “the wellbeing of our community of staff and students is central to the work we do at Loreto and to be recognised through this award is testament to our supportive and inclusive ethos”

To be awarded Gold level Loreto College has demonstrated it shares good practice widely and was commended for undertaking research to develop best practice around mental health and wellbeing.

Loreto College’s mental health lead, Adam Squires, said, ‘The college has implemented a cross-college approach which fully aligns with our Mary Ward values, to ensure that students and staff get a high level of support for their mental health and wellbeing.  I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of staff has been recognised with this award.’

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 and colleges 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 college’s significant commitment to improving children’s and staff’s mental health and wellbeing. It is also a commitment to developing practices that seek to improve awareness and expertise in creating safe and secure learning.”

Pictured: Mr Squires, Mental Health lead, Mrs Pritchard, Deputy Principal and Loreto College’s student mental health ambassadors and members of the student council.