School Awards

The awards that school has won and some brief information about them are listed below.

Artsmark | Aberford C of E (VC) Primary School

Arts Mark Silver Award (July 2021)

Artsmark Gold Award is given by the Arts Council after the school completed an audit of its art’s provision and submitted a detailed application form. This application lists the school’s provision in each of the Arts areas which include Music, Drama, Art and Dance. There are minimum time requirements which the school must satisfy to illustrate their commitment to the arts and these include after school provision and professional development targets for staff. The school was originally given the award in 2004, renewed in 2006, 2010 and again in 2013. We are currently working hard in school to meet the requirements of the award again with a view to being awarded again in 2024

International School Award (2022-2025)

This is awarded by the British Council for schools who have demonstrated strong international links. It was awarded for "Outstanding development of the International Dimension of the Curriculum". The school has to produce an Action Plan which is submitted to the British Council and if this is accepted then a portfolio of work linked to the Action Plan is prepared. Our school was one of the first in Sefton to receive the award in October 2004 , again in Summer 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019 and more recently renewed in 2022.

Rights Respecting Schools Award

Again St. Oswald's was one of the first schools in Sefton to gain this award. This UNICEF award recognises the schools commitment to children's rights and responsibilities across the UNICEF children's rights convention. This award was gained in 2010. We received Level 2 – Gold Award in 2012. In July 2019 the school was reaccredited with the Gold Award and are looking for reaccreditation again in Summer 2023 term.

School Games Mark

The Sainsbury's School Games Mark is a Government led awards scheme launched in 2012 to reward schools for their commitment to the development of competition across their school and into the community. We have previously achieved silver and with our continued commitment, engagement and delivery of competitive school sport and after school physical activities we have been awarded gold in summer 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019. We achieved platinum award in 2023.

Attachment & Trauma Sensitive Schools Award

St. Oswald’s has achieved this National Standard for awareness of attachment and trauma associated behaviours. Staff have worked tirelessly to support pupils who experience these issues and help them regulate these behaviours so they are ready to access school.

Carnegie Mental Health Award Silver – Sawtry Junior Academy Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools

I am delighted to confirm that following reaccreditation, St. Oswald's has been awarded the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools ‘School Mental Health Award’ – Silver Status. This is in recognition for our effective mental health and wellbeing provision.

National Healthy Schools Status

St. Oswald’s has achieved this National Standard for commitment to promoting both healthy eating and healthy lifestyles.

Children’s University

All our staff participate in delivering accredited modules which are part of Sefton’s, Children’s University. Many of these clubs are requested by the pupils themselves. Our modules are often over subscribed and remain popular with the pupils.

NAACE Award (July 2017)

This award is for schools with good use of technology to support teaching, learning and school administration. Our school has gained this award for excellent provision in ICT and demonstrating continual improvement through the use of ICT.

Online Safety 360 Award (July 2023)

To earn the 360 degree safe Online Safety Mark, schools have to reach a series of benchmark levels when they complete the online self review. The evidence is then verified by a visit from experienced Assessors. Ron Richards, Lead Assessor for the 360 degree safe Online Safety Mark, congratulated the school on its success and commented that it was re-assuring to know that the school had put a lot of thought and effort into improving the online safety of the staff and young people, by addressing these important safeguarding issues.