Monkton Infants scoops pioneering mental health award

24th June 2022

Monkton Infants School, in South Shields, was recently awarded the Bronze Mental Health Award by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools.

Monkton received the Bronze standard for outstanding mental health and wellbeing provision. The award was established in 2017 by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools – part of Leeds Beckett University – and social enterprise Minds Ahead.

Focus upon student and staff wellbeing

The Bronze standard award commended Monkton for its outstanding mental health and wellbeing provision. Monkton Infants provides a wide range of activities to boost the wellbeing of pupils and staff. They have a mental health mascot character named ‘Fuzzle’ which supports their young children to develop the fundamental knowledge of emotions and specific vocabulary use so they are able to both communicate and understand their emotions accurately.

Monkton works closely with the NHS Healthy Minds team to provide children with immediate intervention where necessary and they have mindfulness yoga sessions in all year groups.

Growth Mindset is also embedded throughout the school with children taking on a ‘can do’ attitude to all of their work. At the school, a nurturing approach is embraced. This recognises that positive relationships are central to both learning and wellbeing. A key aspect of a nurturing approach is an understanding of attachment theory and how a child’s early experiences can have a significant impact on their development.

Claire Askwith, Head Teacher at Monkton Infants commented:

“I am always extremely proud of the staff and children at Monkton Infants and this award recognises how much we value wellbeing and having a happy school. Mental health and wellbeing is always a priority across the school for both staff and children.”

A focal point of the school’s mental health and wellbeing provision is a consistent approach from nursery to the end of Year 2; involving ‘Fuzzle’, effective use of the ‘Zones of Regulation’ and a ‘Growth Mindset’ approach in all lessons.

Mental Health provisions awarded

The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools aims to strengthen pupils’ mental health by supporting schools to make a positive change at all levels of the UK education system, improving students’ outcomes and life chances.

Doctor Steve Burton, Interim Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education, said:

“Achieving this award is not just recognition of a whole-school approach to mental health, it’s a recognition of the school’s commitment to improving the life chances of children and engaging with the wider community including staff and parents/carers. We’re truly proud to have worked with Monkton Infants in this vital work and look forward to further collaboration.”

Nationally, more than 1000 schools have signed up to take part in the mental health award.

Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead added:

“This award shines a light on the excellent work schools are doing to promote mental health for their community of children and adults. It is thrilling and humbling to learn about Monkton Infants and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”

Monkton’s approach to mental health provision shows a great example of the schools in our region going above and beyond to support staff and student wellbeing.

Director of Schools North East, Chris Zarraga commented:

“It is great to see initiatives focusing on the mental health of staff and students like Monkton’s outstanding wellbeing provision. The impact of the pandemic has arguably affected the schools of our region more so than other areas, and the responsibility of going above and beyond to uplift and support students during unprecedented times has also put a strain on staff wellbeing. I’m delighted to see the efforts of Monkton staff recognised and celebrated through this award.”

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