Grendon CE Primary School - Happiest School nomination
John Wayland, Head Teacher at Grendon CE Primary School, has nominated it for a Happiest School Award 2017 award
In his nomination, John says:
'Grendon Primary School prioritises pupils’ emotional wellbeing, happiness and mental health above everything else.
'Having taken the brave decision to focus on the acquisition of skills beyond those solely linked to subject disciplines, the school demonstrates a profound impact on the outcomes for pupils.
'Facilitating this key priority is a Pupil Mentoring programme, an initiative developed and refined with the school community alongside healthcare and education professionals.
'All pupils engage in regular, structured 1:1 meetings, with trained pupils facilitating dialogue and self-assessment of pupils’ development within areas such as emotions, feelings, thinking, communication, plus social, moral and spiritual development.
'The meetings build a profile of a child’s character, with clear targets and prompt interventions implemented to support each child’s happiness. The impact of this school-wide intervention has been striking with pupils reported as being ‘exceptionally well prepared for their next stage in education’ (Ofsted).
'To apply the skills honed through the Pupil Mentoring initiative, the school created a unique approach to learning - the World Class Curriculum.
'Throughout the school, learning is set entirely within the context of a country, with children immersed in its religion, music, literature, politics, history and geography.
'Immersive learning environments, bearing a closer resemblance to theatre sets than classrooms, form stunning, interactive spaces for children to become fully engaged. Pupils are expected to become enterprising, inquisitive and empowered learners, instilled with the belief that they can make a difference in the world.
'For example, during the World Class Curriculum theme of Brazil, pupils were moved by the issue of Amazonian deforestation and sought action by lobbying the Brazilian Government, resulting in them being invited to the Brazilian Embassy in London to challenge the Minister for Climate Change.
'The school was voted Northamptonshire School of the Year in 2014 and 2016. In 2015 and 2017 the school was a finalist at the national TES Schools Awards in the Creative School of the Year category.
'In its capacity as a National Support School, and validated by outstanding judgements from Ofsted, the school is committed to sharing its unique pedagogy, specifically to champion children’s happiness and instill a belief in children that, despite the challenges that life may present, they can and will have an impact on the world. '
Don't forget to nominate your school for a National Happiness Award 2017.
There are categories for Happiest School, Happiest School Employee (Teacher, Head Teacher, 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.
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