Co Antrim primary school crowned best in UK for prioritising pupils' mental health

Jane Corscadden

22 June 2024 at 4:58 pm·1-min read

Fiona Norris of Fairview Primary School accepting the award for pupil mental health initiative — -Credit: (Image: Tes)

A primary school in Co Antrim has won best mental health initiative in the UK at an awards ceremony dubbed the "Oscars of education."

Fairview Primary School in Ballyclare took home the prize at the Tes School Awards in London on Friday, June 21. The school's vice principal, Fiona Norris, said it was a "tremendous honour" to be recognised for their efforts in addressing the mental health of their pupils.

The school was recognised for its range of ways to address mental health such as building sensory rooms, its education around mental health, and reassuring pupils. The judging panel was made up of experts from long-serving head teachers to heads of educational organisations around the UK.

Judge of the awards and Director General of BESA Caroline Wright said: "Fairview Primary School have used a range of different ways to address mental health and have built sensory rooms to teach children how to regulate themselves and their emotions.

"Their focus on promoting positive mental health has not only helped the children but also the school community, especially parents, educating and reassuring them on how to help their children’s mental health."

Fairview Primary School offers a range of therapies including music and canine therapy, with support extending to pupils parents through a program dealing with discussions around mental health.

The CEO of Tes, Rod Williams, said the awards were a celebration of the education community. He added: "It's an honour and a privilege to be able to recognise the impact of the teachers and schools that lives on through the students and their futures that their work inspires."

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