At Upper Batley, the wellbeing and safety of our learners is always our number one priority. We believe wholeheartedly that “children learn best when they feel safe, supported and understood,” and this belief underpins everything we do as a school. Our compassionate and highly committed staff work tirelessly to ensure every learner feels valued, listened to and encouraged to be the very best version of themselves. Alongside this, our excellent facilities allow us to deliver a rich, creative curriculum that is carefully tailored to meet individual needs.

We are proud to offer a wide range of unique opportunities that support both emotional wellbeing and personal development. Our Forest School, Barnyard, horticulture area and on-site gym all play an important role in helping learners to develop resilience, confidence and a sense of calm. We understand that the demands of school life: particularly exams, coursework and assessments can sometimes feel challenging, so we place a strong emphasis on teaching learners practical strategies to manage stress and look after their mental health.

Central to our approach is our outstanding support network. Our Pastoral team, strong SEND provision, dedicated school Counsellor who work closely with learners every day to create a safe, caring environment where everyone knows there is always someone they can talk to. This consistent, trusted support helps learners to feel secure, builds their confidence and enables them to engage positively with their learning.

We also recognise that true success is about more than academic outcomes alone. Developing resilience, determination, empathy and a positive work ethic is equally important. Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to nurture these qualities across all subjects. Whether learners are solving problems in Maths, building perseverance and teamwork in Forest School, or caring for animals in the Barnyard, each experience helps to prepare them for life beyond the classroom and supports them in becoming confident, well-rounded individuals.

We are incredibly proud of our commitment to nurturing the whole child. Our work in the area of mental health and wellbeing is recognised as best practice, and we are delighted to hold Gold status from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools. This achievement reflects our ongoing dedication to ensuring that every learner at Upper Batley feels safe, supported and ready to succeed.

Aman Singh Kang