Academy awarded ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ silver accreditation from Investors in People
Marking a successful start to the new academic year, students and staff at Northampton Academy are celebrating after the school received a ‘We Invest in Wellbeing’ silver accreditation from Investors in People.
Investors in People is an assessment framework that helps organisations ensure they are effectively managing and developing their teams and fostering a healthy workforce. By achieving this accreditation, Northampton Academy has proven that it meets the high standards set out in the framework and has been recognised for the effectiveness of its staff wellbeing strategy – designed to support staff inside and outside the workplace.
As part of its strategy, the school has introduced a variety of new enrichment opportunities to help improve staff’s physical wellbeing, including access to fitness classes, art classes and choir. The school has also adopted a flexible working approach for staff and circulates a weekly bulletin, signposting resources and useful apps to encourage positive mental health.
Alongside ensuring the wellbeing of its teachers and support staff, the academy is committed to developing its young people into confident, well-rounded and ambitious individuals by delivering what it calls an Education with Character. This means giving pupils the opportunity to develop new skills, face challenges head-on and succeed through persistence and determination.
Testament to the success of the school’s approach is this year’s destinations for Years 11 and 13. 100% of the academy’s students who applied to university gained a place, with 42% going on to Russell Group institutions and six students accepting places to study Medicine. The school also has a record number of students joining its Sixth Form this year, welcoming its former Year 11 students as well other young people from schools across the local area.
Paul Devoy, CEO of Investors in People, said:
"We'd like to congratulate Northampton Academy. Silver accreditation on We invest in wellbeing is a fantastic effort for any organisation and places the school in good company with a host of organisations that understand the value of wellbeing."
Commenting on the accreditation, Phil Swallow, Director of Wellbeing at Northampton Academy, said:
“It is very pleasing to know that we are making Northampton Academy an even better place to work where staff feel valued, trusted and respected. It is fantastic to receive this accreditation, and I look forward to advancing the wellbeing of our staff further. Happy staff can only improve the learning experience of our students.”
Chris Clyne, Principal at Northampton Academy, added:
“In what has been an incredibly challenging past eighteen months, it has been very important to us to support the physical and mental wellbeing of everyone across our school community. I am therefore delighted that we have received this award which is a testament to the ongoing focus we have placed – and continue to place – on the wellbeing of our staff. We firmly believe that by investing in our staff and giving them the support they need, we will be able to provide the best possible learning experience to our young people.”