How mindful minutes, journaling and Worry Boxes have helped to achieve a silver School Mental Health Award
Middlestown Primary Academy (MPA) has been awarded the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools with a silver School Mental Health Award. They explain its importance for children.
Building on our bronze status from 2022, this achievement reflects the significant progress we have made over the past three years and our continued dedication to strengthening this vital area of school life.
The School Mental Health Award is a prestigious accreditation which recognises schools for their commitment to the mental health of their children, staff and wider community.
At MPA, we have embedded a culture where emotional safety, pupil voice and staff wellbeing are treated as fundamental to learning. This commitment is evident in every layer of school life – from governance, leadership and curriculum design to the daily routines that help children feel secure, confident and ready to learn.
Mindful minutes, journaling and Worry Boxes
Pupils follow the ‘One Life’ PSHE/RSE curriculum, a comprehensive programme designed to help them nurture their physical, social and mental fitness so they can live their ‘one life’ well. They benefit from a consistent morning routine which includes mindful minutes, journalling, affirmations and intention setting, as well as clear structures for expressing concerns through ‘Worry Boxes’ and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
Physical and emotional wellbeing are further promoted through movement breaks, the daily mile, engaging PE initiatives and a wide range of clubs.
Wellbeing Champions and peer mentors
Pupil leadership continues to grow, with Wellbeing Champions and peer mentoring models designed to amplify children’s voices even further. This was exemplified in 2025 when MPA ranked in the top 10 both regionally and nationally for the Edurio Pupil Choice Award and Listening & Acting – Pupil Feedback Award.
At the centre of our approach lies a strong partnership with parents and carers. We maintain an open‑door approach and ensure that interventions are discussed with families before implementation.
We work closely with external agencies such as Future in Mind and CAMHS, and strengthen targeted support with the input of our Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) and Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs).
Parents are supported through workshops, wellbeing newsletters and informal “Cookies and Conversation” sessions, while our ‘You said, We did’ model demonstrates how feedback directly shapes school practice.
Headteacher Hannah Young said: “We are so proud of this achievement. I want to thank our amazing staff team for their hard work and dedication, without which this would not have been possible.
Staff wellbeing is as much of a priority as the wellbeing of our children and families, because we know that positive learning experiences can only happen when adults feel supported too. Our Wellbeing Hub, along with initiatives such as positivity flowers, nominations and our voluntary buddy system, reinforces the message that our staff matter.
Nicolle Asquith, Year 5 teacher and Mental Health Lead at MPA, said: “We recognise that children’s mental health is a crucial factor in their overall wellbeing. It has a huge impact on their learning, achievement and wider personal development.
“We are absolutely committed to promoting positive mental health for our young people and delighted to have received this recognition. This award reflects the collective effort of our whole school community.
“Staff, pupils and families work together every day to create an environment where children feel safe, confident and able to thrive – and we are proud that our pupils feel this so strongly.”
To find out more about Middlestown Primary Academy please visit their website.