Hardenhuish School in Chippenham has been awarded a prestigious national accolade for the work it does to support pupils who help care for family members at home.
The school received the Young Carers in Schools Award on 5 December 2025.
Young carers are children under 18 who play a vital role supporting relatives with illness, disability, mental health challenges or addiction — responsibilities that many adults would find demanding.
The award is part of a programme run by charities The Children’s Society and Carers Trust, giving schools practical guidance on identifying young carers and providing tailored support.
A whole-school commitment
Hardenhuish impressed assessors with a wide range of initiatives. These include drop-in sessions with staff, a weekly Young Carers Club, and regular awareness activities during assemblies, tutor time and Carers Week.
The club offers space to meet others in similar situations, relax and find out about help available, while the school takes a flexible approach where caring responsibilities may affect homework or attendance.
Headteacher Lisa Percy said, “We are delighted that Hardenhuish School has been awarded the Young Carers in Schools Award. We believe that all young people deserve to feel understood, valued and supported. Young carers are extraordinary individuals who provide invaluable support to their family while balancing their responsibilities with coming to school.”
She added, “Achieving the award demonstrates the commitment of our staff to ensuring those pupils with caring roles are recognised, understood and receive the support they need to thrive in school and beyond.”
Support that transforms pupils’ lives
One pupil, who is a young carer, shared, “Hardenhuish supports me through staff like Mrs Burgess, who is always there for me, and the year team who offer support. They make me feel listened to and show me that I am not alone.”
They continued, “The Young Carers Club is a chance to wind down with others who understand. School also recognises that sometimes I need more time for homework because of things happening at home. I really appreciate how much everyone cares.”
National picture
Research from Carers Trust shows 40% of young carers do not receive enough support to balance schoolwork with their caring role. Separately, The Children’s Society found young carers achieve, on average, one grade lower per GCSE subject than their peers.
With many young carers remaining hidden, the programme aims to help schools identify pupils who need help as early as possible.
Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, said, “There are two young carers in every classroom. Balancing education and caring can be tough without help. The work at Hardenhuish School is vital and richly deserves recognition.”
Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Children’s Society, added, “School census figures show that almost 80% of schools say they have no young carers — we know this isn’t true. Hardenhuish is leading the way in identifying hidden carers and making sure they have the support they need to thrive.”
How schools in Bath & Wiltshire can get involved
The Young Carers in Schools programme is open to all schools across England.
Find out more or sign up at www.youngcarersinschools.com.
