MP Phil Wilson has presented Woodham Academy with the Young Carers Charter.
Woodham prides itself on the care, guidance and support it gives to the individual child and in order to meet this vision, staff at Woodham Academy are working hard to find ways of listening to young carers.
Young carers may be helping to look after a parent or sibling and take on additional responsibilities to those appropriate to their age and development.
This could involve nursing care, emotional care or domestic care for relatives who may have a physical disability, a learning disability or a mental health problem.
Woodham recognises that this can have an adverse affect on the education of the young person and believe that all young people have the right to learn, enjoy and achieve regardless of their home circumstances.
Family Action have worked alongside Woodham Academy to raise awareness and understanding of young carers and their issues.
Teachers have received training and all students have attended special assemblies to give them a better understanding of who the young carers are and where to go to for support.
Mrs McTague, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, said: “We are very proud to have been awarded this charter and it is hoped that through raising awareness we can better understand the difficulties that some of our young people face on a daily basis and be able to support them so that they can reach their full potential.”