EA celebrates Wellbeing programme with pupils, pride and plaques

Principals and Wellbeing Championfrom 150 schools came together across three special celebration events in June, held at Ardnashee School and College in Derry/Londonderry, Drumglass High School in Dungannon and St Bernard's Primary School in Glengormley.

Each school received a prestigious BWDW plaque in recognition of their dedication to implementing a Whole School Approach to Emotional Health and Wellbeing.

The events brought together school leaders, pupils, and senior figures from across education and government including Education Minister Paul Givan, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education Paul Brush and Dr Nicole Bond from the Office of the NI Mental Health Champion reflecting the importance placed on emotional wellbeing at the very highest levels.

Pupils took centre stage throughout the celebrations. At Ardnashee, a choir performance and poetry recital moved the audience, while at Drumglass, pupils Harry, Ruby and Brandon spoke compellingly about how a strengthened pupil voice is changing their school for the better. St Bernard's opened their event in style with performances from the school orchestra and choir.

Each school shared their unique journey through the programme, demonstrating how using baseline data has enabled a more strategic approach to wellbeing turning evidence into real, tangible change for children and young people.

Richard Pengelly, Chief Executive of the Education Authority, said: 

"The dedication shown by these 150 schools is truly inspiring. 

“Being Well Doing Well is not just a programme, it is a commitment to every child and young person that their wellbeing matters. When we support pupils to be well, we give them the foundation they need to thrive.

“I am enormously proud of everything these schools have achieved and look forward to seeing the positive impact continue to grow." 

Sheila Gamble, Head of Service in the EA, spoke passionately about the impact of the programme across all 421 participating schools, thanking each one for placing wellbeing at the centre of their school communities.

"Wellbeing is not achieved by one person - it is created by a team united by purpose. I am also incredibly proud of the dedication, compassion and commitment shown by everyone in the Being Well Doing Well Team, as we continue to make a lasting difference across the Being Well Doing Well Schools in Northern Ireland.”

St Bernard's Principal Sean Kavanagh captured the spirit of the programme when he reflected that a child cannot focus on doing well unless we first support their being well, a truth that lies at the heart of everything the BWDW programme stands for.

The BWDW programme supports schools to audit their emotional health and wellbeing provision, develop targeted strategies and build environments where every pupil can flourish. Cohort 2 schools have demonstrated that, with the right framework and support, schools can transform data into meaningful, lasting impact for their communities.

Together, these schools are shaping educational environments where wellbeing comes first.