Judges praised Chorlton High School (CHS), in Manchester, for the way wellbeing was “woven into the fabric of the school”.

Teacher Maria Barlow said innovative ways had been found to prioritise the wellbeing and mental health of students and staff, particularly during the Covid pandemic, including increased participation in cultural and social activities as well as creative opportunities.

She said: “CHS recognised early on during the first lockdown that a whole-school mental fitness and wellbeing strand needed to continue to be embedded to enable students to understand themselves, and to develop strategies to support their own mental fitness.

”What’s more, the school has continued to provide a variety of wellbeing opportunities for staff to keep mentally fit.”

Just some examples of wellbeing support for staff include a one-to-one counselling service, and group wellbeing and mental fitness sessions.

There are also regular pigeonhole treats, free breakfasts, cakes and coffee, a weekly wellbeing raffle and “reverse reward postcards”, on which students write a thank you to staff. In addition, a “much-needed and appreciated” weekly lockdown quiz to keep staff connected through the winter.

Judge Tara Porter said: “Chorlton High School is a great winner of the wellbeing and mental health award. It was clear that wellbeing was not limited to a standalone project but woven into the fabric of the school.

“The authenticity of its submission was backed up by its website, where its core values of a ‘successful, creative, happy’ school shone through. The breadth and wealth of its wellbeing work was stunning and the judges particularly loved its goosebump-inducing Human Family video.”