Elmwood School is nominated in the Happiest School category of the National Happiness Award 2017.

Elmwood School, a secondary provision for students aged 11-16 with a range of learning needs, has been nominated in the Happiest School category of the National Happiness Award 2017.

Lee Cross, Deputy Headteacher, of Elmwood, said in support of the nomination:

'Our pupils experience some dark places associated with their diagnosis and Mental Health. The purposeful environment that Elmwood brings to the 65 pupils on a daily basis is one which results in every day being a fresh start in a happy and inspirational environment.

'All of our pupil's self-esteem is assessed throughout their education which has resulted in 62% of the school population having at least a good level of self-esteem and an attendance figure that is 13.27% better than the average for our designation of school across the West Midlands.

'The curriculum has 190 mins of learning outside of the classroom per year group, enabling them to overcome their barriers to learning (associated with their mental health) and to work outside of the comforts and safety of the school building.

'As a member of the SCITT - Barr Beacon Alliance, we work in collaboration with mainstream primary and secondary schools in shaping an inclusive mindset and providing opportunities for all.

'The National College highlighted the SEND aspect that Initial Teacher Trainee's receive through the SCITT was innovative and engaging - making their experience one ground in happiness.

'The senior leadership team conduct vision/ethos walks where each aspect of the school is judged against the school's vision statement to make sure that we are living and breathing our school's vision.

'Due to the nature of the pupils, we are required to use physical interventions to keep pupils and staff safe - as a means of balancing this out we also embarked on delivering the Massage in Schools Programme to instill the importance around "positive touch."

'In addition to this every child records their thoughts, feelings, and fears when they are physically supported as a means of staff listening to their voice and in turn improving practice, this has resulted in 0% of pupils requiring a physical intervention on the floor.

'Pupils perception around education and enjoyment is collated through survey's and shared with staff to generate Performance Appraisal targets for staff/subjects etc. for instance "To support at least 1 lesson where learning occurs outside of the classroom" as pupils felt the lessons were too static. We need to know how to talk to people effectively resulted in 3 staff being trained in the Social Use of Language Programme (SULP) and being delivered as a 40mins lesson for every pupil in KS3'.

Don't miss out on nominating your school for a National Happiness Award 2017.

There are categories for Happiest School, Happiest School Employee (Teacher, Headteacher, Support Staff) and Happiest Pupil.

There is over £5000 worth of prizes to be won for the winners and runners-up.

The awards receive national coverage and will help raise the profile of your school and put wellbeing and happiness at the heart of your curriculum.

Nominations close at midnight on Friday, 20th October. Winners and runners-up will receive their prizes at a happiness-studded ceremony in London on Friday, 17th November.

Nominations close on 20th October. Don't delay - nominate today!