Portsmouth’s Winner! Claire McBride, National Wellbeing Champion 2026
Claire McBride, founder of The Mindful Movement Mission, has put Portsmouth on the map once again.
Educator and mother, Claire McBride, a former English teacher, has won the prestigious national award of Wellbeing Champion, 2026.
In Liverpool last week, Edufuturists awards ceremony took place, celebrating the most pioneering and inspirational teachers, schools and change makers in education.
Portsmouth’s Claire McBride, author of wellbeing radio show ‘Cultivating Courageous Conversations’ on Express FM and teacher for over a decade is renowned for her pioneering work in wellbeing.
Recently announced on the expert panel for ‘The Happy Confident Company’ and delivering her ‘Mindful Movement Method’ at media global giants Canva, Claire shared on her social media platform:
"This isn't about winning an award. It's about winning a better future. A future where every child knows their worth can never be measured by a grade, where every educator feels valued as a human being, and where wellbeing is no longer something we have to fight for—it is simply how we choose to educate.
"That is the future I will never stop working towards."
Claire founded The Mindful Movement Mission in 2020, after witnessing over a decade of mental health decline in the classroom during her role as a teacher. She has been praised by The Diary of a CEO: Steven Bartlett and by Joe Wicks, The Body Coach, who claimed she was for schools ‘the mental health version of P.E with Joe.’
Claire continues to lead the way as head of wellbeing for Queen’s Global Online School and recently worked with schools in Jaipur, India, to support children with HIV and AIDS.
Claire’s persistent passion for bettering the landscape of education proudly puts Portsmouth on the map as being the home of our very own ‘Wellbeing Champion.’
Claire concluded: "This award is not mine alone. I dedicate it to my fellow nominees, to every teacher, teaching assistant, school leader, caretaker, lunchtime supervisor and every selfless human being who chooses, every single day, to make education a kinder, safer and more compassionate place to be.
"And above all, I dedicate it to the young people we serve."
Congratulations to Claire, for this huge achievement- Portsmouth is proud!
Full list of winners can be found below:
(partnered by Senso Cloud) - Tom Wade
Accessibility Champion (Everway) - Jessica Hussey
Diversity & Inclusion Champion (HappyHost) - Mhairi O'Rourke
Educator of the Year (Whole Education) - Olivia Rodrigues
Educational Leader of the Year (Skolon) - Matt Jessop
Edufuturist of the Year (Classroom Cloud) - Trudi Barrow
Innovative Project of the Year (Salamander Soft) - Create.Code.Change
Skills Development Champion (Canopy) - Roddy Peters
Sustainability Champion (Daisychained) - YESfest
Wellbeing Champion (Blackout Education) - Claire McBride
Outstanding Achievement (Parent Pay) - David Cameron
Outstanding IT Professional (ANME) - SRSCMAT IT Support Team
MAT of the Year (TransforMATive) - Achievement Through Collaboration Trust
Primary School of the Year (Kami) - Cumberland Infant & Craneswater Junior
SchoolsSecondary School of the Year (Canva) - St Colman's College, Newry
Independent School of the Year (Toddle) - Westbourne School
Online School of the Year (Literacy Shed) - Minerva Virtual Academy
University of the Year (Siddiqui Education) - University College London