Loading. Please wait.
Accessibility help

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.

Hosts Rhys Stephenson and Katie Thistleton, with child champion finalists

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.

What I’ve learned in the past 18 months is that change is possible. We can create an environment in a school that’s supportive for young people with mental health [issues] and combat stigma. We just have to do it together. Dr Alex George, A&E doctor, best-selling author, UK Youth Mental Health Ambassador, and member of Place2Be's judging panel

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)
We are a better school for working with Place2Be. Vanessa Thomson, Head Teacher, Oakwood Primary School

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)
What we try to do every day is give the children the best education possible, but also we want it to be a second home, a sanctuary, a place of safety where they know their voices will be heard, their fears allayed. I’d like to thank Place2Be for their support. Place2Be has just been fantastic and I don’t know what we would have done without them… Place2Be has helped us to build a real community, so thank you. Tommy Ittu, Vice Principal, Ark Elvin Academy

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

News & blogs

An orange graphic with yellow and turquoise overlay. Yellow text that reads Know Yourself, Grow Yourself is in the centre of the page. Six happy children wearing various costumes also appear on the graphic.

Place2Be releases for Children’s Mental Health Week 2025

Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week 2025 will encourage children and young people to embrace and build self-awareness.

Read more
BAFTA Roadshow presenters Sam Homewood (left) and Shanequa Paris (right) sit in a classroom with a group of smiling children from Ark Castledown Primary Academy in Hastings.

The Young BAFTA Roadshow with Place2Be arrives in Hastings

Children at Ark Castledown Primary Academy in Hastings were surprised with a Young BAFTA Roadshow visit.

Read more
De-Graft Mensah and Mirain Iwerydd standing in a classroom smiling while holding a BAFTA trophy.

The Young BAFTA Roadshow with Place2Be arrives in Wales

Children at Tredegarville C.I.W. Primary School in Cardiff were surprised with a Young BAFTA Roadshow visit.

Read more