ADDINGHAM Primary School has been awarded the prestigious and nationally recognised ‘Nurturing School Award’.

The award recognises the efforts to embed nurturing principles across the whole school community and the dedication to children’s mental health and wellbeing.

Head teacher Miss Hilary Cave said: “This is a fantastic achievement for our staff team who have worked incredibly hard to develop and embed a nurturing culture throughout the school and promote healthy outcomes for children and young people, all by focusing on their emotional needs and development. “

The accreditation assessment report highlighted the school’s commitment to place the needs of the pupils at the heart of school practice.

It said: “The school places a very high importance on listening to the pupil and encouraging pupil voice through means appropriate to everyone. A wide range of interventions are used. Children are respected and given a means to communicate their needs, wishes and feelings.

“Staff are open and welcoming and feel part of a team. There is clearly an unwavering, supportive ethos within the school. The school leadership team has a clear vision that the nurturing approach is central to all their work. The staff understand the importance of having a holistic approach towards the children in their care and within their community. There is a clear vision for the future at Addingham Primary School.”

Wendy Roden, Assessor for the National Nurturing Schools Award, said: “I would like to thank the school in going ahead with the accreditation at a time when the school and staff are coping with the challenges of the Covid 19 lockdown. Their optimism and enthusiasm shone through.”

Dr Natalie Jewitt, clinical psychologist at Jenby’s, an independent psychology service said: “Congratulations to Addingham Primary School for achieving the National Nurturing Schools Award. It has been a pleasure to work with the school over the past three years implementing the Jenby’s in Schools Project, to promote and improve children’s emotional and mental health. I am very proud of what we have been able to achieve together so far and look forward to continuing this important work in the future.”