Silverdale Primary Academy impressed judges with its commitment to creating a happy environment for staff and pupils. Initiatives include a website to track pupil happiness and a year-round competition to ensure happiness stays at the forefront of school life. Pupils even go to other schools to tell them how to be happier.

Stuart McLean Vice Principal of Silverdale Primary Academy said: “It is a tremendous accolade and validates the work we do in the school which is based on positivity and happiness, which is embedded in all we do with our children and staff. We couldn’t ask for a better team of staff and children at the Academy and that’s what it’s all about for us.”

Jane Thomas runs the UK’s first Happy-centred school and places pupil well-being and happiness above all else. She has introduced a school curriculum which runs alongside the National Curriculum and encourages important childhood experiences, such as making mud pies and going to the theatre.

She said: “It’s humbling to win because it is really a team effort. Happiness is the keystone of any school. Children don’t want to come to school if they don’t feel safe, listened to, and happy. If they don’t feel like they can succeed and thrive they don’t want to learn. The awards have been amazing. To have so many like-minded people in the same room has been overwhelming.”

The Outward Bound Trust’s commitment to staff happiness and well-being impressed judges. Described as an amazing and inspiring place to work, the Trust has developed an initiative called ‘The Way We Work Together’. It enshrines and encourages values of mutual respect, autonomy, engagement and inclusiveness.

Francesca Scott, Outward Bound Trust Head of People Strategy, said: “We are over the moon because we’ve worked really hard to make the Outward Bound Trust somewhere where people really want to come and work. There were some amazing businesses in the awards so it was brilliant to win.”

The Outward Bound Trust’s commitment to staff happiness and well-being impressed judges. Described as an amazing and inspiring place to work, the Trust has developed an initiative called ‘The Way We Work Together’. It enshrines and encourages values of mutual respect, autonomy, engagement and inclusiveness.

Francesca Scott, Outward Bound Trust Head of People Strategy, said: “We are over the moon because we’ve worked really hard to make the Outward Bound Trust somewhere where people really want to come and work. There were some amazing businesses in the awards so it was brilliant to win.”