The Diocese of Leeds’ specialist school has been described as ‘transformative’ and ‘life changing’ in a recent assessment which saw it awarded with a prestigious accreditation. St John’s Catholic Specialist School in Boston Spa, near Wetherby, supports pupils who are hearing impaired, on the autistic spectrum or have complex sensory or communication challenges. It was recently awarded the highly prestigious Healthy Schools Accreditation, an accolade granted following a rigorous assessment process that highlighted the school’s ‘exceptional commitment to health, wellbeing, and holistic education.’
Four core Healthy Schools areas – PSHE, Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Social, Emotional & Mental Health – were reviewed, and the school was visited by an assessor who spoke with pupils, parents and staff. In their final report, the assessor described the school as ‘a community characterised by warmth, care and a deep commitment to ensuring every student feels safe, valued, and supported’. The report praised the school’s leaders for their strong vision and the way health and wellbeing are woven seamlessly into all aspects of school life.
Staff were recognised for their exceptional understanding of individual needs, their emotionally informed practice and their ability to adapt learning so that every child is included, supported and encouraged to develop independence at a pace right for them. Nicola Slorach, Deputy Head Teacher, said: ‘This accreditation reflects the commitment, compassion and determination of our whole school community. At St John’s, we believe that wellbeing is the foundation for learning, and we work to ensure every child feels known, understood and able to thrive. I am incredibly proud of our staff, pupils and families for the role they play every day in making our school such a nurturing and life‑changing place.’
The assessor highlighted numerous strengths across all four Healthy Schools areas including the school’s approach to careers and work experience. Healthy eating was another standout strength with the school’s ‘exceptional’ cooking and food technology praised for enabling students of all abilities to develop vital life skills. The skills‑based PE curriculum was noted as being highly inclusive, ensuring every pupil can participate meaningfully.
Many pupils arrive having experienced significant challenges in previous settings and the school’s provision for Social, Emotional & Mental Health was described as ‘transformative’. Parents consistently reported reduced anxiety, improved emotional regulation and strengthened family life as a result of the school’s support. They offered powerful testimonies about the school’s impact, describing it as ‘life‑changing’, ‘supportive’, ‘nurturing’ and ‘full of happy children’. They highlighted the exceptional communication, bespoke support around food, flexible approaches to emotional needs and the way staff ‘don’t just teach, they care’.
Headteacher Kevin Harrington said: ‘We have an unwavering belief in the potential of every young person which is rooted in our Catholic ethos of compassion, service and respect. For the students, staff and families at St John’s, this award is both an achievement and a reflection of what the school strives for every day – to be a community where wellbeing, learning and belonging come together to help every child flourish.’
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