MV16 Put Mental Health First

By George Icke. George@nemm.co.uk

Melton Vale Post 16 Centre is based within Melton Mowbray, a small market town in Leicestershire.

Tuesdays and quiet are not normally synonymous with Melton Mowbray, due to the hugely popular cattle market, which hundreds of people attend each week, and thousands of cattles are auctioned there each month.

However, during lockdown, Tuesday is no different to any other day for most in Melton Mowbray, but not for students at MV16.

The college, in Burton Road, run by the Nova Education Trust, has decided to put student welfare and mental health at the forefront, by launching “Take Care Tuesday” on 26th January 2020.

Students were encouraged to take part in activities such as meditation, dancing, cycling or even baking to name just a few, with an emphasis on leaving the screens off for 24 hours, with remote learning being paused for the day, and students given time to relax and de-stress.

The idea was launched to students during a virtual video assembly and was unveiled by college principal Kirsty Johnson.

The college’s website shares their mission statement which is creating “a climate for learning that allows all learners to thrive.”

MV16’s approach to student mental health reiterates why they are Melton Mowbray’s “outstanding sixth form provider” according to Ofsted.

While “wellbeing and care is at the heart of the classroom” with a global pandemic, the classroom has had to come to the students, and along with that wellbeing and care is delivered virtually.

MV16 in Burton Road, Melton. Photo: MV16.