Amanda Fewkes, headteacher of The Fen Rivers Academy, has won the InsideOut ‘Line Manager’ Award alongside Judith Henson who was nominated for InsideOut’s ‘Behind the Scenes Champion’ Award.
The InsideOut awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond in supporting and championing the mental health of those around them, particularly in the workplace.
Amanda is the Senior Mental Health lead at The Fen Rivers Academy and a Mental Health and Youth Mental Health First Aider. She is also a Fellow of The Chartered College of Teaching and has recently completed a Level 5 Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Practice.
Amanda said:
“I am so pleased to have won an InsideOut award! I am a passionate advocate for positive mental health and wellbeing, firmly believing that my staff team and the pupils we serve will all thrive and achieve great things if we care for their wellbeing and they are able to be their authentic selves; feeling seen, heard and held in mind.“
Judith runs Wellbeing Wednesday at the Fen Rivers Academy to support staff in their own practice of self-awareness, stress management and self-care. She champions wellbeing and runs TA meetings alongside the arts therapist, focusing on all staff can do to look after themselves so they are best placed to support our vulnerable young people. She is in the process of becoming a Trauma and Mental Health Informed Practitioner through Trauma Informed Schools UK and this training is evident in her practice. Jude has also worked with our Rights group of pupils to take the school to Silver Rights Respecting Schools, ensuring the rights of the child are always respected and celebrated.
Judith added:
“I am passionate about empowering people to look after their wellbeing and giving them a voice and space in which to do so. Thank you to the InsideOut Awards for recognising the significant progress our school has made in championing our student and staff’s mental health.“
Recent staff surveys for Ofsted stated that the school community felt safe, heard and able to speak up if something was not going well, which is testament to the hard work of Amanda and Judith, as well as the whole staff body at the Fen Rivers Academy.