Mowbray Primary School has been named Primary School of the Year at the North East 2026 Local Awards, recognising a vibrant, inclusive and deeply community-focused school that places children, families and wellbeing at the heart of everything it does. Mowbray Primary School is dedicated to helping every child achieve their full potential through high-quality education, outstanding pastoral care and a nurturing environment where pupils feel safe, supported and inspired to learn. The school is known not only for its commitment to academic progress, but also for the strength of its relationships, its inclusive ethos and its determination to remove barriers so every child can thrive. For the whole Mowbray community, this award is a proud and emotional achievement. After navigating major challenges, including the unexpected closure of the school building, the recognition celebrates the resilience, teamwork and spirit shown by pupils, staff, families, governors and community partners.

A Vibrant and Inclusive School at the Heart of Its Community

Mowbray Primary School is a school built around belonging. Its work is inspired by the belief that every child deserves the very best start in life, and that belief can be seen in the way the school supports pupils academically, emotionally and socially. Children are not treated as numbers or test results. They are known, valued and supported as individuals. The school provides a nurturing environment where children feel safe and ready to learn. That sense of safety is essential. When pupils feel secure, respected and understood, they are more likely to take risks in learning, ask questions, build friendships and grow in confidence. Mowbray places great importance on creating that foundation for every child. What makes the school especially strong is its understanding that education does not happen in isolation. Children’s learning is shaped by their wellbeing, family circumstances, confidence and sense of connection. Mowbray recognises this and works hard to create a school community where children, families and staff can thrive together. That wider commitment is one of the reasons the school has earned such meaningful recognition.

Supporting Whole Families, Not Just Pupils

At Mowbray Primary School, the team does not simply educate children. It supports whole families. This approach sits at the heart of the school’s identity and is one of the things that makes it stand out. The school understands that children flourish best when families feel supported too. That means listening carefully, communicating openly and working in partnership with parents and carers to understand what each child needs. For some families, that support may be academic. For others, it may involve wellbeing, confidence, attendance, pastoral care or help accessing wider services. Mowbray’s strong community partnerships, wellbeing initiatives and inclusive ethos help remove barriers to learning. The school works to make sure every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of background or circumstance. Relationships come first, and that is not just a slogan. It is visible in the way staff know pupils, understand their needs and support families through both ordinary school life and more difficult moments.

A School Culture Where Everyone Can Thrive

One of Mowbray Primary School’s biggest achievements has been creating a culture where children, families and staff thrive together. This has been recognised through a number of prestigious awards, reflecting the school’s commitment to education, wellbeing and community impact. The school has achieved Carnegie Gold Status for Mental Health and Wellbeing, showing the strength of its work in supporting emotional health across the school community. It has also received the Young Carers in Schools Award, recognising its commitment to identifying and supporting pupils who carry additional caring responsibilities at home. These achievements reflect a school that looks beyond the surface and takes the time to understand children’s lives. The recognition does not stop there. Mowbray has been named Primary School of the Year, and its Headteacher, Andrew, has received the ENA Outstanding Head Teacher Award. Together, these achievements show a school with strong leadership, dedicated staff and a clear vision. They also show a community that values wellbeing just as much as academic success, understanding that the two are deeply connected.

Overcoming the Unexpected Closure of the School Building

One of the most significant challenges Mowbray Primary School faced was the unexpected closure of its school building over the Christmas period. This created a major disruption and required the rapid relocation of pupils and staff across multiple sites before the school eventually settled into a temporary setting. For any school, this kind of sudden change would be difficult. Schools rely on routine, familiar spaces and a sense of stability, especially for young children. Moving pupils and staff across sites brought practical, emotional and logistical challenges. Yet throughout the disruption, Mowbray’s priority remained clear: children needed stability, continuity and high-quality education. The school overcame the challenge through strong leadership, teamwork and the unwavering support of staff, families, governors and the wider community. Clear communication and collaboration helped everyone move through a period of uncertainty together. Most importantly, the wellbeing of pupils remained at the centre of every decision. The experience strengthened the school community and demonstrated its resilience, adaptability and commitment to ensuring every child continued to feel safe, supported and able to learn.

A Community That Responded With Strength

Mowbray Primary School is particularly proud of how the whole school community responded to the closure of the building. Despite significant disruption, pupils continued to thrive, staff went above and beyond, and families showed incredible support. This period revealed the true strength of the Mowbray community. It is one thing to talk about resilience when everything is running smoothly. It is another to show it when a school has to relocate, reorganise and reassure children during a difficult time. Mowbray did exactly that. The response from everyone involved showed determination, kindness and trust. Seeing children remain happy, settled and successful throughout this period was a powerful moment for the school. Having those efforts recognised through multiple national awards made it even more meaningful. It reminded everyone that Mowbray is more than a building. It is a community of people who care deeply about children and who will pull together when it matters most.

Giving Back to the Community

Giving back to the community is at the heart of everything Mowbray Primary School does. The school works closely with local organisations, charities and support services to provide opportunities and assistance for children and families beyond the classroom. This work includes hosting community events, supporting local initiatives, promoting volunteering and building partnerships that enhance wellbeing, learning and inclusion across the area. These activities help strengthen the link between the school and the wider community, creating a shared sense of purpose and support. Following the closure of the school building, the support Mowbray received from the wider community reinforced just how important these relationships are. The school remains committed to giving back wherever possible. Through its work with families, young carers, local groups and community partners, Mowbray aims to be more than a school. It aims to be a positive force within the community, helping children and families thrive together.

Why Community Matters to Mowbray

Being part of the local community is important to Mowbray Primary School because schools play a vital role in bringing people together and supporting families beyond education. A strong school can become a centre of connection, trust and opportunity. Mowbray believes that strong relationships between the school, families and the wider community create better opportunities for children to succeed. These relationships also improve wellbeing and foster a sense of belonging. When children see school and community working together, they learn that they are part of something supportive and meaningful. As a community school, Mowbray is proud to work in partnership with local organisations, businesses and support services to enrich the experiences of pupils and families. The incredible support received after the closure of the school building demonstrated the strength of these connections. It also reinforced the school’s commitment to giving back, supporting others and helping the wider community thrive.

Helping a Child and Family Reconnect With Education

One particularly memorable experience for Mowbray involved supporting a family who had faced significant challenges and were struggling to engage with education. Rather than seeing this as a problem to be managed from a distance, the school worked closely with the family to build trust and provide tailored support. Through regular communication, partnership working and a clear understanding of the child’s needs, the school helped the pupil begin to flourish both academically and emotionally. This kind of progress does not happen overnight. It requires patience, consistency and a belief that every child can succeed when the right support is in place. Seeing the child’s confidence and happiness grow was deeply rewarding for the school. Hearing the family express gratitude for the difference Mowbray had made reinforced why this work matters so much. It showed the impact of a school that refuses to give up, listens carefully and works with families rather than simply expecting them to fit into a system.

A Delighted and Proud Reaction to Winning

When Mowbray Primary School found out it had won Primary School of the Year, the reaction was absolute delight and immense pride. The award was a wonderful recognition of the dedication, resilience and hard work shown by pupils, staff, families, governors and the wider community. The timing made the win particularly special. After navigating significant challenges, including the unexpected closure of the school building, the award felt like a celebration of everything the Mowbray community had overcome together. It recognised not just the school’s achievements in normal circumstances, but its strength during a period of disruption. For everyone involved, the win was a shared moment of pride. It belonged to the children who continued to learn and smile, the staff who worked tirelessly, the families who showed trust and patience, and the community partners who offered support. It was a moment that reflected the true spirit of Mowbray Primary School.

What Winning Primary School of the Year Means

Winning Primary School of the Year means a great deal to Mowbray Primary School because it recognises the values that guide the school every day. It celebrates dedication, resilience, inclusion, wellbeing and a deep commitment to helping children reach their full potential. For staff, the award acknowledges the care and effort they put into supporting pupils and families. Teaching is never only about lessons. It is about encouragement, safeguarding, pastoral care, communication, creativity and helping children believe in themselves. Mowbray’s staff have shown those qualities consistently, including during extremely challenging circumstances. For pupils and families, the award reinforces that they are part of something special. It shows that the school’s approach is valued and recognised beyond its own community. Most importantly, it reflects the strength of relationships across Mowbray. The award is not just a trophy for the school. It is a celebration of everyone who has helped make Mowbray a positive and supportive place to learn and grow.

Recognition Built on Trust and Partnership

Mowbray Primary School believes this recognition reflects the strong relationships it has built with pupils, families and the wider community. The school places great importance on listening, communicating openly and working in partnership with families to ensure every child receives the support they need. The award demonstrates the trust and confidence the community has in the school. That trust has been built through consistent care, clear communication and a commitment to putting children and families at the heart of every decision. It was especially visible during the unexpected closure of the school building, when families continued to support the school through uncertainty. This recognition belongs not only to Mowbray Primary School, but to the entire Mowbray community. Families, staff, pupils, governors and partners have all played a part. Their support has been instrumental in the school’s success and remains central to everything the school hopes to achieve in the future.

Looking Ahead to a Permanent School Home

While Mowbray Primary School is incredibly proud of what it has achieved, the team sees this recognition as a milestone rather than a destination. The focus now is on continuing to build on that success and provide exceptional educational experiences for pupils. The school plans to further strengthen its wellbeing and inclusion offer, while expanding opportunities for pupils and families to engage with the wider community. These priorities reflect the same values that helped the school win this award: care, ambition, belonging and a commitment to removing barriers. Mowbray is also looking forward to returning to a permanent school home and creating an environment that reflects the ambition, resilience and spirit of the school community. Whatever the future holds, the commitment remains the same. Every child should feel valued, supported and inspired to achieve their full potential.

Thanking Staff, Pupils, Families and the Wider Community

Mowbray Primary School would like to thank its dedicated staff, whose passion, commitment and resilience make a difference to children every day. The school also thanks its pupils, who continually inspire everyone with their enthusiasm, determination and spirit. Thanks also go to families, whose trust, support and partnership are at the heart of everything Mowbray does. The school is also grateful to governors, community partners and the wider Mowbray community for their unwavering support, particularly during the challenges following the closure of the school building. Special recognition goes to Headteacher Andrew, whose outstanding leadership, vision and dedication have helped make these achievements possible. This award is a reflection of what has been accomplished together as one community. To everyone who has supported Mowbray Primary School, thank you. Your encouragement, trust and belief have played a vital role in the school’s journey. Over the past year, Mowbray has faced challenges that tested its resilience, but the strength, kindness and determination of the community helped overcome them together. As Primary School of the Year, Mowbray Primary School is proud of what has been achieved and excited about what lies ahead.