Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Teesdale Mercury
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Teesdale Mercury
No Result
View All Result
ADVERTISEMENT

Gold award for Staindrop Academy

by Teesdale Mercury
July 22, 2025
in News
Gold award for Staindrop Academy

Staindrop Academy is the first school in County Durham to achieve the gold award for its work with young carers.

The secondary school previously achieved the Young Carers’ Charter two years ago, and on renewing its application this year was elevated to the gold standard.

Headteacher Sarah Mitchinson said: “We’re so proud to achieve this standard. Getting the gold award shows how much work our school counsellor Vicki Barratt has put into making sure this is recognised and supported, and ensuring our young carers are valued in school and know they have somewhere to come.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The award recognises the work that the academy is doing to help students who have family caring responsibilities outside of the classroom.

“They meet regularly, and we give them a place to talk,” Mrs Mitchinson said. “We know they are doing a lot of work and providing a lot of support at home, so we want to be able to give them a chance to relax.

“We try to put rewards in place for them, like taking them to enjoy the Christmas market in Bishop Auckland. It’s important to let them be children, as well.”

ADVERTISEMENT

It’s all part of the academy’s determination to meet children’s broader needs, as well as encouraging academic success.

Another part of that strategy is the wellbeing garden. First developed last summer, it recently got a new look thanks to garden furniture funded by Durham County Council.

“Our wellbeing garden is another important part of this,” added Mrs Mitchinson. “We are a really inclusive school and we try to support all of our children regardless of their needs.

“I think today’s schools have a greater awareness of the needs of all our children. We’re committed to that need to support holistically and not just academically.”

ADVERTISEMENT
Previous Post

Tributes to Barnard Castle legend Denny Raine

Next Post

Barnard Castle’s Witham stages comeback

ADVERTISEMENT
No Result
View All Result

Stay connected

Facebook Twitter
ADVERTISEMENT

Most popular

School on top of world after symbol reinstated on roof

School on top of world after symbol reinstated on roof

October 17, 2025
Barnard Castle pub in Good Beer Guide for first time

Barnard Castle pub in Good Beer Guide for first time

October 16, 2025
Call for volunteers to help secure Middleton Carnival’s future

Call for volunteers to help secure Middleton Carnival’s future

October 22, 2025
Girls honoured for life-saving actions

Girls honoured for life-saving actions

October 20, 2025
Subaru Forester takes all road conditions in its stride

Subaru Forester takes all road conditions in its stride

October 18, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

15C Harmire Enterprise Park
Barnard Castle
Co Durham
DL12 8BN

Email: [email protected]

Registered in England as Barrnon Media Limited. No: 12475190

VAT registration number: 343486488

Explore

  • Art & Leisure
  • Business
  • Country Life
  • Features
  • News
  • Sport
  • Test Drive
  • Digital edition

Useful links

  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Buy your paper
  • Photosales
  • Digital edition
  • About us

Follow us on

© Barrnon Media Limited 2025

Terms & Conditions / Privacy Policy / Cookie Policy

This website and its associated newspaper are members of the Independent Press Standards Organisation
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Features
  • Test Drive
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Art & Leisure
  • Buy your paper
  • Buy our photos
  • Digital edition
  • Contact

© 2024