AN OTLEY school is celebrating being awarded Mindmate Friendly status.

Prince Henry’s Grammar School has achieved the standard in recognition of its work to support students’ social, emotional and mental health.

An assessor from Mindmate Champions visited to examine the help that was provided through the school’s curriculum, PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education) days and more.

The assessor also looked at the assistance the school offers through its Pastoral teams and Cluster Support services and talked to a number of colleagues, students and parents about their experiences.

The assessment’s summary report concluded: “There has been a huge investment in this area of work to enable students to reach their individual potential.

“Staff are fully committed to ensuring that the very best pastoral support is available for all pupils, and particularly those with social, emotional or mental health needs.”

Assistant Headteacher - Learning Support at Prince Henry’s, Phil Temple, said: “I am delighted that we have been awarded this status in the Mindmate Champions programme.

“Whilst the Pastoral and inclusion teams were rightly praised extensively, it was also evident to our assessor that the work being done across the school by many different colleagues was hugely positive.

“What was especially pleasing was the feedback from students and parents about the positive impact we as a school have had on the experiences of our students and each other.”

MindMate Champions is designed to promote and develop evidence-based best practice for Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) skills in schools, children’s centres and Specialist Inclusive Learning Centres (SILCs).

The scheme is funded by Leeds Clinical Commissioning Groups with other partners investing staffing time, and is delivered in partnership between the Health and Wellbeing Service and Northpoint Wellbeing.