Revealing the unsung young heroes of the classroom
The happiest, most inspiring pupils in the UK are often overlooked if they don’t excel in exams. But now that is all about to change thanks to the Happiest Pupil Award in the National Happiness Awards, which is giving a voice to the unsung classroom heroes who brighten up their schools with laughter.
Parents and teachers are invited to join in the search and nominate children they know who make a real difference to their schools through positivity and happiness.
Every school has children who defy the odds, overcome adversity, inspire others and excel with their personalities, determination and resilience. The National Happiness Awards aims to identify these and celebrate them. The awards also include categories for Happiest School and Happiest School Person.
Increasingly schools are focussing on the importance of happiness and wellbeing, particularly given the rise of mental health problems affecting young people.
As awards founder, Stephanie Davies, said: “There is an ever-growing demand for pupil mental health support in schools, but often the pupils who really shine through and make a positive difference to the lives of those around them miss out on recognition because the onus is on results.
“The National Happiness Awards are the only award scheme to honour the young people who defy the odds to make their schools better places through happiness. The Happiest Pupil Award is presented to the individual who inspires others through resilience, happiness and positivity.”
Nominations for the all National Happiness Awards categories are open, however, time is running out as the deadline is October 19th.
The National Happiness Awards were launched in 2016 by learning and development consultancy, Laughology, which is the pioneer behind the acclaimed Happy-Centred Schools programme. They attract several hundred nominees each year and the Happiest Pupil Award is one of the highlights.
The awards are supported by Sir Anthony Seldon, one of the country’s leading experts on happiness in education and a senior advisor on the government’s happiness agenda. They have also been backed by former Home Secretary Amber Rudd.
Ms Davies continued: “There is not a dry eye in the house when we announce the Happiest Pupil Award. It is given to the young person our judges feel has made the biggest positive impact on school and the wider community, and the stories of the winners and runners-up are always inspiring and heart-warming.”
Last year’s winner Callum Carr from Luton said: “Winning was the best day of my life.”
The National Happiness Awards 2018 are sponsored by gold sponsor Fit2Communicate and silver sponsor Crown House Publishing. Venue sponsor The Landing will host the award ceremony at MediaCityUK, Manchester on November 16th. The event will raise money for Children in Need and the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Homelessness Fund.
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