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The award follows a comprehensive assessment process which found that the college is successfully embedding mental health and wellbeing across all eight areas of the School Mental Health Award framework. Assessors praised the college for its strong culture, leadership and commitment to supporting the wellbeing of the entire college community

Following our incredibly positive Ofsted Report earlier this month, we are delighted to continue the recognition for Brian Jackson College by announcing this Award.

The verification report described Brian Jackson as a “warm, welcoming, inclusive, and safe” college where leaders are highly visible and accessible, students are friendly and engaged, and a strong sense of belonging is fostered through the college ethos, “This Is What We Do Here.”

A particular strength identified by assessors was the college’s approach to staff wellbeing. The report highlighted year-round wellbeing and performance conversations, protected weekly wellbeing time for staff, peer recognition initiatives such as the Mug of the Week, and access to confidential support through the Wisdom app for both employees and their families.

The assessor concluded that Brian Jackson College had demonstrated effective practice across every area of the framework and stated that they had “no hesitation” in recommending the college for the award. School leads were commended for approaching the accreditation with “energy, commitment, and genuine pride” in what the college provides for its learners and staff.

Jacqui Green, Headteacher of Brian Jackson College, said:

“We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Bronze School Mental Health Award. Mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of everything we do at Brian Jackson College, and Fresh Futures, and this accreditation recognises the dedication of our staff, the voice of our students and the strong sense of community that we have built together. Following our highly positive Ofsted outcome, this is another wonderful endorsement of the caring, inclusive and ambitious environment we provide for our young people. We look forward to continuing to build on this work and ensuring that wellbeing remains a priority for everyone in our college community.”

The report also confirmed that mental health and wellbeing will remain a permanent feature of the college’s ongoing improvement plans, ensuring that support for students, staff and families continues to evolve and respond to emerging needs.

This latest achievement further reinforces Brian Jackson College‘s commitment to helping every young person thrive academically, socially and emotionally, while providing a workplace culture where staff feel valued, supported and empowered to do their very best.

Fresh Futures is proud to celebrate the incredible achievement of our dedicated runners who recently took part in the Lindley 10K, raising over £900 to support children, young people, and families across Kirklees.

On race day, our team laced up their trainers and joined hundreds of participants for the popular community event.

The fantastic total raised will contribute towards the support services, opportunities, and programmes that make a real difference to the lives of children, young people, and families throughout Kirklees. Every donation helps us create brighter futures and ensure that local people can access the support they need when they need it most.

We would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who took part in the run, as well as the friends, family members, colleagues, and supporters who donated, encouraged, and cheered our runners on along the route. Your generosity and support made this achievement possible.

Congratulations to every member of the team on completing the challenge. Raising over £900 is a fantastic achievement, and every mile really has made a difference.

Brian Jackson College, part of Fresh Futures, has received a highly positive Ofsted inspection, with inspectors highlighting its strong safeguarding culture, inclusive environment and commitment to helping young people achieve positive futures. 

Inspectors recognised the college’s success in supporting young people who may have struggled in mainstream education, noting that pupils make positive progress from their starting points, develop confidence and resilience, and achieve well academically, particularly in communication, language and mathematics.  

The report also highlighted the personalised support available to learners, including mentoring, tailored learning pathways and daily guidance, helping them re-engage with education and build the skills needed for future success.  

Preparing Young People for the Future 

A Positive and Respectful Environment 

Ofsted found that relationships between staff and pupils are characterised by mutual respect and support, contributing to a positive culture across the college. Inspectors noted that bullying is rare and not tolerated, and that pupils feel safe, included and respected.  

The report also recognised improvements in attendance, highlighting the work leaders undertake with families to help overcome barriers to learning and encourage young people to re-engage with education.  

Strong Leadership and a Commitment to Improvement  

Fresh Futures Welcomes the Findings 

Mark Farmer, Chief Executive of Fresh Futures, said: 

“We are incredibly proud that Ofsted has recognised the dedication of our staff and the excellent progress and commitment to making a positive future for our pupils and their dedication to the journey they have taken. This report reflects our commitment to providing a safe, inclusive environment where every young person can thrive and build a strong foundation for future success.” 

Read full report here 

Fresh Futures is a West Yorkshire-based charity that works with children, young people and families through education, skills development and community support programmes. The organisation says the inspection outcome reinforces its commitment to helping young people develop the confidence, resilience and determination to fulfil their potential. Brian Jackson College is one of the many services delivered by the charity to help support young people from across West Yorkshire. 

Open Day

We are running an Open Day to showcase our facilities on 21st October in Heckmondwike and we’d be thrilled if you would like to join us to find our more about our alternative education provision.  You can sign up by visiting: Brian Jackson College Open Day . Spaces are limited so please don’t hesitate to sign up today!

At Fresh Futures, we are passionate about supporting growth – not only in the young people we work with, but within our own team too.

That’s why we’re delighted to celebrate Deonne, our young adults engagement officer, who has been recognised with the Adult Student of the Year Award for her achievements in Coaching and Mentoring from Calderdale College.

As the lead of elevate, Deonne is dedicated to helping young people realise their potential. Through her work, she empowers young people to build confidence, develop skills, overcome challenges, and take meaningful steps towards their future.

Already an inspiring mentor and advocate for young people, Deonne chose to further strengthen her skills through a Coaching and Mentoring programme. The course focused on supporting personal development, improving performance, and helping individuals identify and achieve their goals.

Her award is a testament to the dedication she brings to both her own development and the support she provides to others. The skills gained through the course will further enhance the incredible work she is already doing through elevate, creating even more opportunities for young people to thrive. Whilst also being an incredible role model.

Congratulations, Deonne! Your passion, commitment, and belief in young people make a real difference every day, and we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate your success. 🌟

As we move into the warmer months, the garden will continue to grow and evolve. Flowers will bloom, plants will flourish, and, most importantly, the space will be filled with life – children playing, young people connecting, and families enjoying time together.

As the seasons change, the garden will also begin to provide fresh produce grown right on site. From strawberries, melons and pumpkins to herbs like mint and sage, the space will offer hands-on opportunities for children and young people to learn about growing their own food. Whether it’s planting seeds, watching something grow or tasting what they’ve helped nurture, this adds another layer of learning, creativity and connection to nature – bringing the garden to life in a truly meaningful way.

We can’t wait to see it in full use!

We’re delighted to share the success of our very first Fresh Futures Charity Golf Tournament, held at Meltham Golf Club on Friday 8th May.

The day brought together local businesses, community supporters, and golf enthusiasts for a memorable event filled with friendly competition, networking, and, most importantly, a shared commitment to making a difference.

This event would not have been possible without the incredible support of our founding sponsors, participating teams, and volunteers. Their generosity and early belief in this event helped bring it to life and ensured its success.

We are truly grateful to everyone who contributed — whether through sponsorship, team participation, donations, or organising support.

After a full day on the course, participants enjoyed a delicious pie dinner, bringing everyone together to relax and celebrate.

The evening continued with a prize presentation, raffle, and silent auction, with some fantastic prizes on offer. One of the standout moments was the draw for a 5-night stay in Spain, which was won by a participant from Cedar Court — a brilliant way to round off the day.

Congratulations to all of our winners, and thank you to everyone who took part in the competitions and prize draws.

See you all next year!⛳

Pictures taken by Liz Baker Photography

When it comes to fundraising, some people think outside the box — and some take it to the skies.

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate Terri, who took on an unforgettable challenge to support Fresh Futures, raising over £1,000 in the most extraordinary way possible. Terri climbed to the top of a biplane at Headcorn Aerodrome, proving that determination, courage and creativity can make a powerful difference.

Balancing high above the ground, Terri turned an adrenaline‑fuelled experience into real‑world impact. Every pound raised will help Fresh Futures continue its work supporting young people and families, creating opportunities, building confidence and shaping brighter futures within our community.

Fundraising doesn’t have to mean doing the same thing as everyone else. Terri’s challenge shows that when passion meets purpose, incredible things can happen — whether that’s pushing personal limits, trying something new, or stepping far outside your comfort zone.

If Terri’s story has inspired you, there are so many ways to get involved. From sponsored challenges and creative events to adrenaline‑filled experiences of your own, fundraising for Fresh Futures can be as unique as you are.

💙 Ready to make a difference?
Find out how you can fundraise for Fresh Futures, support vital local work, and maybe even get your adrenaline going for a great cause.

We were proud to welcome our Brian Jackson College parents and carers for a morning of College Post-16 Open Day, and it was wonderful to see so many families attending and engaging with the day.

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make the day a success. We look forward to continuing these conversations and welcoming families to future events!