Moulsham High School has won a prestigious award for its work supporting young carers with their education.

 

The school was presented with the Young Carers in Schools award on 30th September 2024. Young carers are children under 18 who are responsible for the care of a family member with who, due to illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction, can’t cope without their support.

 

The award is part of the Young Carers in School programme run by charities The Children’s Society and Carers Trust. The programme provides primary and secondary schools across England with step-by-step guidance for teachers, leaders and non-teaching staff to gain the practical tools they need to help young carers.

 

Led by Miss Nawaz, Moulsham High School won the award by demonstrating how it supports young carers. This includes running homework clubs and drop-in sessions with a member of staff responsible for this vulnerable group of pupils. Miss Nawaz's efforts in supporting young carers in schools have been highly impactful. Through her dedication to raising awareness and providing support, she has helped create a more inclusive environment for these students. Winning the Young Carers in Schools Award is a well-deserved recognition of her hard work and commitment to making a positive difference.

 

Research by Carers Trust shows 40% of young carers say they don’t get enough support to balance education and caring. Separate research by The Children’s Society shows young carers get an average of one grade lower in GCSE subjects than their peers and they often also have lower levels of self-confidence and mental wellbeing.

 

Statutory guidance makes clear that all school staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for young carers. The Young Carers in School programme is a way of helping schools address this.

 

Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers at Young Adult Carers, said:

“We’re delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools award to Moulsham High School. Figures show there are two young carers in every classroom but balancing learning with looking after family members can be tough without help. By identifying young carers and putting support in place, schools and teachers can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and education. That’s why the brilliant work done by staff at Moulsham High School is so vital and why this award is so richly deserved.”

 

Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Children’s Society said:

 

"Recent figures from the school census highlight that nearly 80% of schools reported they had zero young carers in their pupil population. We know this simply isn't true and that young carers are a hidden group of children and young people who need support to achieve the same level of success as their peers at school. We're absolutely thrilled that Moulsham High School has achieved the Young Carers in Schools award, demonstrating their commitment to identifying these hidden children and young people and ensuring they get the vital support they need to thrive in education and in life beyond school."

 

The Young Carers in School programme is open to all schools in England. To sign up, visit www.youngcarersinschools.com