Pupils and staff from Glastonbury Thorn School in Shenley Church End hosted a celebratory event last week after recently becoming a winner of the Outstandingly Happy School award – the first infant school in the country to be recognised with the prize.
Parents, community members, Paul Field from Art of Brilliance, Deputy Mayor Councillor Sam Crooks and Zoe Nolan, MK Council Cabinet member for Children and Families, were invited into the school’s main hall to hear from pupils and staff who spoke about how the school was an inclusive and welcoming learning environment.
The Outstandingly Happy School award recognises those that promote the principles of positivity, confidence, flourishing, resilience, optimism, community spirit, kindness, aspiration and strengths.
The aim is to create a sustainable, long-term wellbeing ethos driven by the children themselves that they cascade down to the next year group.
The award developed by a company called the Art of Brilliance work with schools to embed positivity and character in education.
The programme called the ‘Art of being Brilliant,’ is personalised to the school and a happiness inspector attends the school to mark their achievements.
"This is a fantastic achievement by everyone involved at the school,” said Sarah Pearce, headteacher at Glastonbury Thorn School.
“Everyone works hard to ensure we create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all and to be recognised with this award is a testament to everyone’s hard work.”
Zoe Nolan, MK Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young Families, said: "I was delighted to join the celebrations at school and recognise this fantastic success.”
“Glastonbury Thorn School are showing the way the atmosphere in school can be the best it can be so that everyone can thrive. I congratulate all involved."
The school Singing Squad led the performance of the school song and Kindness Club shared how they had spread support and compassion around the school – including writing messages on the playground and leaving surprise bookmarks in library books.
They concluded by sharing their very own kindness song too.
