Schools across the Bradford district have been recognised for their outstanding commitment to supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing at the annual Healthy Minds Chartermark Schools Awards. 

The ceremony, held at the iconic Midland Hotel in Bradford city centre, celebrated the tireless work of teachers, staff, and educational leaders in creating nurturing, inclusive environments where children feel safe, valued, and supported.

The Healthy Minds Chartermark is a key initiative run by Bradford Council’s Educational Psychology Team and funded by Public Health. It promotes a whole-school approach to mental health and emotional wellbeing, encouraging schools to embed support not only for pupils but also for staff and families. Schools are assessed and awarded silver, gold, or platinum status depending on the strength and sustainability of their approach.

This year, three schools achieved the prestigious Beacon School status, the highest level of recognition under the programme. 

Park Aspire Alternative Provision Academy, Chellow Heights Special School, and Burley Oaks Primary School all stood out for their ability to demonstrate measurable positive outcomes in student wellbeing and for actively supporting the mental health of staff members. Their achievements set a strong example for other schools across the district and beyond.

For the first time, two local authority nursery schools joined the programme, reflecting the growing importance of supporting mental health from the earliest stages of education. Strong Close Nursery School and Hirst Wood Nursery School were both awarded silver status, showing that a commitment to mental wellbeing is taking root even in early years settings.

Dr Laura Halliwell, Educational Psychologist, and Jelisa Browne, Assistant Educational Psychologist, delivered keynote speeches that acknowledged the dedication of local educators. They also shared up-to-date research on children’s mental health, both from a local Bradford perspective and within a national context. Both speakers highlighted the role of schools in not just academic development but in shaping emotionally resilient, confident, and mentally healthy young people.

Councillor Sue Duffy, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families, expressed her pride in the schools recognised at the event. 

She said: “It’s brilliant to see so many schools making mental health a priority and creating environments where children feel safe, included, and supported. The commitment shown by staff, pupils and families is truly inspiring. These awards recognise the important role schools play in helping our children thrive.”

Also present at the event was the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Mohammed Shafiq, who personally congratulated award recipients and underlined the importance of investing in young people’s mental health. He emphasised how critical wellbeing is in ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, is given the opportunity to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Bradford is one of the most diverse cities in the UK, with a significant South Asian population. Many of the schools recognised this year serve large numbers of British Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Indian pupils. Culturally appropriate mental health support is becoming more widely available thanks to increased awareness and investment. Programmes like Healthy Minds are helping schools understand the unique needs and challenges of South Asian families, including overcoming stigma, language barriers, and access to support services.

This year’s winners include a mix of mainstream, special, and faith-based schools, as well as an independent Muslim secondary school. Notably, Jaamiatul Imaam Muhammad Zakar (JIMZ) Independent School received a Gold Award, demonstrating how independent schools are also playing a crucial role in promoting mental wellbeing.

Gold Awards:

• Beckfoot Allerton Primary
• Farfield Primary
•  Frizinghall Primary
•  Grove House Primary
• Reevy Hill Primary
• Steeton Primary
•  Jaamiatul Imaam Muhammad Zakar (JIMZ) Independent School.

Silver Awards:

• Hollingwood Primary
• Knowleswood Primary
• Lidget Green Primary
• Lilycroft Primary
• St Joseph’s Catholic Primary (Keighley)
• St Paul’s CE Primary
• St Stephen’s CE Primary
• Swain House Primary
•  Green Lane Primary
•  Bowling Park Primary, which successfully renewed its Silver status from 2021.

As schools across the Bradford district continue to put mental health at the heart of education, this year’s awards remind us all of the vital role schools play in nurturing happy, healthy, and resilient children. 

For South Asian families in Bradford and beyond, the recognition of culturally responsive approaches marks a welcome step forward in making mental health support accessible and inclusive for all.