A CARLISLE school has received national recognition for its commitment to health and well-being after winning two awards recently.

Earlier this month, Richard Rose Central Academy earned two School Impact Awards – the Pupil Wellbeing Award and the Staff Wellbeing Award.

The School Impact Awards, of which there are four, encourage schools across the country to take positive steps to improve the physical, emotional and mental health of all pupils and staff.

As part of their work to achieve the Pupil Wellbeing Award, the academy created a bespoke 'wellbeing area' for all pupils to use during social times and extended its extracurricular offering to further benefit pupil health and wellbeing. New activities available include performing arts, dodgeball, and art club.

Iona Kyle, PE teacher at Central Academy and wellbeing and mental health co-ordinator, said: "We are delighted to secure these awards and celebrate all the fantastic work being done to strengthen student and staff wellbeing."

To earn the Staff Wellbeing Award, the school set several targets focused on showing greater staff appreciation. The academy has introduced staff ‘shout outs’ in the Principal’s weekly staff briefing to highlight standout personal and professional achievements. It has also established several internal staff awards to celebrate good and outstanding practice.

Since making these improvements, teachers at the academy have reported having a better knowledge of their students as well as more productive relationships with them. The school has also seen an increase in the number of students attending extracurricular clubs.

Dan Markham, principal at Richard Rose Central Academy, said: "I am so proud of our academy and the excellent work that has been put in by Iona Kyle, as well as students and staff across the school, to earn these awards.

"Alongside equipping our students with the skills and knowledge they need to make strong progress in their academic learning, we want to make sure we are giving them the tools they need to be healthy and emotionally intelligent young people.

"This national recognition is testament to our success, and the real commitment we are showing to the wellbeing of students and staff alike."