Validator report

18 November 2025

SWA-Whitehall Primary School-LE5 6GJ-18/Nov/2025

Areas for further development
Continue to use focus groups to gather qualitative data. Aim to collect some basic quantitative data as well as this will help to provide comparisons and track the impact of changes in provision. You could use short surveys to ask general questions about workload and the focus groups to drill down as to what is working well and what could be better. Also, consider whether it would be possible to offer staff an annual wellbeing day (as opposed to an afternoon) as this may be significantly more impactful.
Award term ref
Confirm the recommendation
1
Overall comments
The SMHL and her colleagues have taken a genuinely holistic approach to supporting staff wellbeing, taking care to collect staff views and address concerns comprehensively. The impact of this is demonstrated in the excellent feedback collected from a range of staff via regular focus groups.
School ref
Validator benchmark comments
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
The portfolio included positive feedback from staff around the school's efforts to simplify the collection and management of data collection, reduce paperwork and streamline marking systems and address pinch points in the calendar.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff are positive about being able to raise concerns and how leaders respond to these. Discussions demonstrated the school’s sympathetic, tactful responses to individual concerns. Evidence also included examples of how the school is working to improve aspects of provision – for example, the allocation of PPA time - in the light of specific staff feedback.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff have welcomed improvements to the staff room and opportunities to socialise. They enjoy connecting around shared interests. They feel confident to propose ideas and suggestions about how provision could be further improved.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff appreciate the gestures of gratitude shown by leaders including shout outs and treats. The school has taken note of how staff would like to receive acknowledgement (e.g. publicly or more discretely) and responded accordingly.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
The school has focused in particular on this area. Regular, weekly sessions with parents in school time have reduced the need for scheduled meetings. Clear email protocols and reductions in paperwork have also benefitted staff wellbeing.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff appreciate the prominence given to wellbeing as a result of the leadership of key staff including the SMHL and wellbeing governor. They know how and where to access support including from external counselling services paid for by the school.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
This is a key element of the SDP. Staff appreciate the CPD and coaching opportunities they receive including regular, ongoing support from middle leaders. The say that colleagues are non-judgemental and that formal appraisals are supportive. CPD around mental health has also helped them to manage their own wellbeing.
Benchmarks ref
Comments on impact identified during validation
Staff are positives about the greater autonomy offered to middle leaders with regard to their subject areas, including the regular support they provide to ECTs. Staff are supported to take on greater leadership responsibilities and, in turn, to support colleagues. Initiatives such as group moderation have also been well received.
Validator recommendation
I recommend that the school is accredited for this award
Validation confirm date
18/Nov/2025
Product attribute ref
Gold