A Calderdale secondary school has been recognised for the health and wellbeing support it offers its young people.
Calder High School, in Mytholmroyd, is the first secondary school in the borough to achieve the Calderdale Healthy Schools Gold Award in Mental and Emotional Wellbeing. The award programme recognises and celebrates the work that schools carry out to support children and young people’s health and wellbeing, with bronze, silver and gold tiers.
Calder High provides a high-level of support for its pupils across the programme’s key themes of health and wellbeing, physical activity and food. The school’s exceptional work to support pupils’ mental health and wellbeing has led to it achieving gold status.
Support at the school includes initiatives such as Student Mental Health Ambassadors and drop-in sessions where pupils can talk about problems or struggles they are facing, with signposting to mental health support services. School staff also receive mental health first aid training, and the school employs two fully trained Pupil Intervention Practitioners.
Mindfulness is important throughout the school and as additional wellbeing support, the headteacher’s Golden Retriever, Bob, comforts and supports pupils by sitting with them or joining them on a short walk.
The offer isn’t confined to pupils, and staff mental health is also catered for, with wellbeing and counselling opportunities, a peer support system and a free health app offered to all.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services, Cllr Adam Wilkinson, said:
“Congratulations to all staff and pupils at Calder High School for gaining the Gold standard award as part of the Healthy School programme. The award belongs to everyone as the school, as they’ve each contributed towards this achievement – and of course that includes headteacher’s dog, Bob!
“The school is leading the way at secondary level, really going above and beyond to embed wellbeing and mindfulness into the school day. Pupils and staff have said they feel supported and better able to deal with any issues, with the school offering advice, practical help and signposting.”
Andy Taylor, Head Teacher at Calder High School, said:
“We are honoured to receive the Gold Award, which reflects our commitment to fostering excellence and supporting the wellbeing of every pupil. This achievement is a testament to the dedication of our staff and the collaborative efforts within our community.”
James Hornby, Pupil Intervention Practitioner at Calder High School, said:
“The Gold Award has been a great achievement for Calder. It has helped us to recognise the varying methods of intervention we have in place for our students, as well as identify and implement new strategies to better support those in our care. Pursuing the award has been a valuable experience and has informed our further development plans for the coming years.”
The Calderdale Healthy Schools programme has been developed by Calderdale Council in partnership with schools, to promote pupil and staff wellbeing in physical activity, nutrition, and mental health. There are three levels of award:
- Bronze – looks at the school’s general health and wellbeing offer
- Silver – a four-part award covering Mental and Emotional Wellbeing, Physical Activity, Food and Nutrition, and Health Promotion.
- Gold – a three-part award covering Mental and Emotional Wellbeing, Physical Activity, and Food and Nutrition.
Schools who achieve Gold in all three areas are awarded a special Diamond award. Five schools in the borough currently hold this award, New Road Primary, Copley Primary, the William Henry Smith School, Parkinson Lane Primary and most recently, Ripponden Junior and Infant School who achieved the award in December 2025.
ENDS