Cottingham C of E Primary awarded the first Healthy Schools 'Gold Award' by North Northamptonshire Council's Public Health team
09 July 2025
Cottingham Primary, a village school on the outskirts of Corby, has been the first to secure the much-coveted gold status in the Healthy Schools Scheme.
To mark the achievement, on Tuesday they were officially awarded a gold status wall plaque during assembly time by Cllr Brian Benneyworth, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Health and Leisure, and Deputy Director for Public Health, Northamptonshire, Helene Denness.
Children at the school also dressed in gold for the day, had a healthy celebration breakfast, a visit from the Air Ambulance mascot, played games and had a DJ at their very own disco.
The healthy schools rating scheme is a self-assessment tool designed to help schools improve the health and wellbeing of their pupils.
To achieve gold status schools must develop a whole school health and wellbeing initiative. This can either be an extension of a successful silver project or it can be something new.
Cottingham Primary started by delivering education sessions across the school and focused on the importance of health and wellbeing and how they could collectively achieve this for themselves and their community.
Year Six pupils at the school have been focusing on 'giving', 'connecting', 'being active', 'taking notice' and 'learning', as part of their work towards the award.
They completed a large number of activities, see below, including; the school choir performing to a local group of senior citizens, a fundraiser for the Air Ambulance where they named the mascot, break dancing workshop and Mini football takeover day. Results have shown a significant increase in the three categories; giving, connecting and being active, by both pupils and staff at the school.
I congratulate the pupils and staff of Cottingham C of E Primary for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to health and wellbeing, and encouraging the development of lifelong habits.Brian Benneyworth, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Health and Leisure
Their dedication to health and wellbeing and raising awareness of the importance of connecting, giving and getting active is truly inspiring and sets a fantastic example for schools across the county. As we build a better North Northamptonshire for all, it’s wonderful to see young people so engaged in shaping a healthier, and connected future.
Receiving the Healthy Schools Gold award does not mean our job is done. We will continue to strive to offer a local Church of England primary school that children want to attend. We have already signed up for a number of events from September that will further enhance our approach to mental health and wellbeing.Mr Ashley Scott, Executive Headteacher
Looking after mental health and wellbeing is paramount for children for their education, wellbeing and happiness. If a child isn't happy, they aren't going to learn.School administrator Carolynn Southcombe, who has been the driving force behind the project
They have donated to a food bank in Corby, held a family afternoon and taken part in yoga sessions run by myself.
I try to work with some children about anxiety and how they can cope, and use yoga breathing and exercises to cope," she said. Students said working on the project made them feel "more kind", "happier" and "confident.
I am keeping up habits by giving, getting active and connecting with other people. I am enjoying the gold award activities because of all the activities and mindfulness.Emily Rutter, Year 6
Their project is a follow on from their Silver Award when they had increased the number of pupils in the year achieving 60 minutes of activity per day.
More examples of the Gold activities that have been completed across the school:
- Connecting: Spirituality Day, All parents invited to a Yoga Session with their child, Year 6 Buddies Walked to ECP with Reception Children, School Choir performed to Senior Citizens, First Aid Training for All Pupils. Carols Around the Tree with Veteran’s Invited
- Giving: Air Ambulance fundraiser, Corby Food Bank Visit/MUFTI in Exchange for Food Items, Collecting Sanitary/Personal Care Items, Macmillan coffee morning, Celebrated act of kindness day, Christian Aid Week,Classes did Fundraising Throughout Week
- Getting active: Parkor Acrobatics, Skate Board/Scooter Day, Breakdancing Workshop, Met with Year 6 Children to discuss Let’s Get Active in October. Encouraging them to do some of the activities with younger children at lunchtimes, Mini Football Take-Over Day, Skip 2B Fit, Rugby take over day, Handball event