Place2Be presents the Wellbeing in Schools Awards 2022

The winners of the Wellbeing in Schools Awards were announced in a special ceremony at BAFTA this week, celebrating the children, young people and adults who go above and beyond to support mental health in their schools.

The unique event - presented by Place2Be Ambassadors Katie Thistleton and Rhys Stephenson and generously supported by the Garfield Weston Foundation - brought together our 29 amazing finalists, chosen from over 120 nominations by an independent panel of expert judges.

Place2Be’s Wellbeing in Schools Awards provides a unique opportunity to recognise the passion, determination and hard work in schools across the UK to promote positive mental health and wellbeing.

Open to schools that work with or have recently trained with Place2Be, the Awards celebrate inspiring ambassadors of positive mental health. This includes children, young people and adults who go above and beyond to support mental wellbeing in their school communities.

Our panel of 26 independent judges brought a range of knowledge, experience, insight and expertise covering: academia and research in child development and emotional wellbeing; health and education; social justice; judiciary, corporate social responsibility and enterprise; grant-making and fundraising; the arts; and lived-experience.

A huge congratulations to all of the children, young people, individuals and schools who were shortlisted for an award. Find out who the finalists and winners were below.

Child Champion

• Jan, Primary 7, Oakwood Primary School, Glasgow (Winner)
• Lola, Primary 5, Murrayburn Primary School, Edinburgh (Highly Commended)
• Ella-Kate, Year 4, Seascape Primary School, County Durham (Highly Commended)

Young Champion

• Thomas and Eden, Senior 3, Carrick Academy, South Ayrshire (Winner)
• Nicole, Year 10, Oasis Academy South Bank, London (Highly Commended)
• Jayden and Zuzanna, Year 10, Deptford Green School, London (Highly Commended)

Adult Champion

• Tracey Redgrave, Lewis Street Primary School, Greater Manchester (Winner)
• Laurinda de Sousa, Haverstock School, London (Highly Commended)
• Caroline Stuart, Seascape Primary School, County Durham (Highly Commended)

The Christine Merrell Award

• Lyndsey Baxter, School Project Manager, Seascape Primary, County Durham (Winner)
• Gillian Griffiths, School Project Manager, Croftfoot Primary, Glasgow (Highly Commended)
• Dianna Roberts, School Project Manager, South Norwood Primary, Croydon (Highly Commended)

The Joe Lyonette Counsellor on Placement Award

• Marie Louise Potts, Seascape School, County Durham (Winner)
• Rachel Cade, St. Aidan's Primary School, London (Highly Commended)
• Lorraine Mirham, Whitefriars School, London (Highly Commended)

The Mina Dell Mentally Healthy School Award

• Carmarthenshire Secondary Teaching and Learning Centre (CSTLC), South Wales (Winner)
• The Brent Primary School, Kent (Highly Commended)
• Glenburn Early Learning and Childcare Centre, Renfrewshire (Highly Commended)

Outstanding School Leader

• Vanessa Thomson, Head Teacher, Oakwood Primary School, Glasgow (Winner)
• Amanda Atkinson, The Bridge Manager, Stewards Academy, Essex (Highly Commended)
• Matthew Tate, Headmaster, Hartsdown Academy, Kent (Highly Commended)

Primary School Award

• St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Oxfordshire (Winner)
• Kentmere Academy and Nursery, Greater Manchester (Highly Commended)
• St Paul's RC Primary School, Renfrewshire (Highly Commended)

Secondary School Award

• Ark Elvin Academy, North West London (Winner)
• Bruntcliffe Academy, Leeds (Highly Commended)
• Girvan Academy, South Ayrshire (Highly Commended)

Thank you to our panel of independent judges, the Garfield Weston Foundation, BAFTA, and to everyone who joined us on Monday evening. 

Learn more about Place2Be's Wellbeing in Schools Awards