Derrytrasna Pastoral Care Awards

The award was for school communities that  demonstrated exceptional pastoral care in supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of pupils and their families. 

The Department and Public Health Agency reviewed the award and concluded that it was no longer fit for purpose.  This was based on the evident scaling down of the award in recent years, in parallel with an increased focus on emotional health and wellbeing in schools and also recognising that there are now other awards and programmes in place to support and recognise pastoral care in schools.

The Department of Education recognises the important and valuable work of schools in supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of pupils.  The joint education and health framework aims to further embed this and inspires schools to adopt a whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing.  Schools are encouraged to consider participation in the Education Authority’s Being Well Doing Well programme which promotes this whole school approach, further details can be found on their website - Being Well Doing Well Programme | Education Authority Northern Ireland).

Parents and pupils can and should continue to acknowledge, by letting their school leadership or staff know, when they notice or receive exceptional pastoral care from their school.