Validator report
18 February 2025
SWA-Choppington Primary School-NE62 5RR-18/Feb/2025
Areas for further development
The school is still on a journey with regard to staff wellbeing so continue to analyse the regular wellbeing surveys to ensure that improvements in responses are maintained. If necessary, meet with groups of staff to discuss particular issues as they arise. You have outlined some excellent 'next steps' and these should help to develop provision further. Also consider asking specifically about how useful recent changes and developments have been and if there are others that staff would welcome - this could be done very simply by asking everyone to rate them, summarising the results and feeding back outcomes to staff so that they can see how their feedback has impacted on provision.
Award term ref
Confirm the recommendation
1
Overall comments
The school's new HT is working hard to improve staff wellbeing, increase communication between SLT and staff, reduce workload and ensure staff involvement in decsion making. This has resulted in significant improvements in staff feedback with regard tio their own wellbeing.
School ref
Validator benchmark comments
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Leaders have a good understanding of workload pressures and have ensured that any changes to provision are assessed for their impact on staff wellbeing. Detailed wellbeing surveys are conducted biannually and staff report that work impacts positively on their wellbeing and that managers are supportive.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Survey feedback demonstrates that staff feel supported by leaders and are regularly encouraged to share wellbeing and mental health concerns.
Comments on impact identified during validation
As well as conducting formal surveys, leaders regularly check in with staff. In addition to the feedback already noted, the school’s recent Ofsted report also states that staff morale is high. Staff say that the carefully designed CPD they receive effectively supports their workload.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Leaders sought staff’s views on how they would like to be acknowledged and it was agreed that they would generally prefer this to be done personally and privately. In addition, in response to concerns that public acknowledgement of individuals could also be divisive, the school rewards all staff by providing occasional all staff appreciation days including a range of fun group activities.
Comments on impact identified during validation
The school has reduced workload by changing marking, assessment and other procedures. Communications now only take place within school hours and staff are supported to attend family and other engagements outside of school. In surveys, the majority of staff report that leaders work actively to support wellbeing across the school
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Leaders frequently discuss concerns with staff who now feel more able to share issues as they are confident that they will be acted on.
Comments on impact identified during validation
The new HT is SMHL trained and has focused on listening and responding to staff concerns. More staff have been supported to take on leadership roles. All staff have been given CPD around supporting their own wellbeing which has been positively received.
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff feel more involved in decision making and demonstrate increased levels of engagement, confidence and knowledge.
Validator recommendation
I recommend that the school is accredited for this award
Validation confirm date
18/Feb/2025
Product attribute ref
Gold