At Hanley St Luke’s, supporting children to flourish means recognising that some pupils carry responsibilities far beyond the classroom.

The academy is incredibly proud to have achieved the Young Carers in Schools Award, recognising its work to identify and support pupils who help to care for family members. Support includes dedicated clubs and drop-in sessions, raising awareness among staff and pupils, and ensuring there are named adults who understand and champion the needs of young carers.

The impact of this work extends beyond the academy. As the only local school currently holding the award, Hanley St Luke’s has been approached by the Local Authority Young Carers team to help other schools develop their own provision.

The Carers Trust praised the academy for recognising young carers and putting meaningful support in place, highlighting the difference schools can make to both their wellbeing and education.  This commitment to care has also been recognised through the academy’s Gold National Wellbeing Award and Wellbeing Pioneer School Accreditation.

The external validation described the academy’s submission as “exceptionally strong”, recognising a culture where wellbeing is not simply an initiative but an embedded way of working. Evidence demonstrated tangible improvements in attendance, persistent absence, behaviour, attainment and wellbeing, supported by the voices of pupils, staff, parents and external partners.

Central to this journey has been a simple but powerful belief: flourishing adults enable flourishing children.

These awards are wonderful achievements, but what matters most is what sits behind them: a community in which children are noticed, understood and supported — and where wellbeing has become part of everyday life.