Community Work (Before Aug 2023)
A variety of case studies from our community work from before August 2023.
Monkton supports the Genesis Trust at the Bath Half
Monkton worked with Genesis Trust to put together a team of student and staff volunteers to work in the baggage tent at the Bath Half event, earning funds for the Genesis Trust through volunteering, as well as enabling the event to run smoothly.
Staff volunteers also ran in support of Genesis Trust and raised funds for this charity in the form of sponsorship.
Aims: Attendance at this event was part of our long-term partnership with the Genesis Trust and a way to provide students with a practical way of engaging with the work of the charity.
The need was identified by Genesis Trust, and this is now a repeat activity for us at Monkton. Beneficiaries are members of our community who are most vulnerable or who find themselves homeless.
Background: This is a growing partnership that we have been working on for many years and which involves regular fundraising and awareness raising events.
Resources: The partnership relies on the leadership of a student-led giving committee, assisted by a member of staff.
3 staff members volunteered their time for supervision and for transporting pupils to the event.
Impact: £635 was raised as a direct result of pupil volunteering, and additional funds were raised by staff members who ran in the event.
Pupil Involvement: 15 pupils, years 10 - 13.
Frequency: Annual.
Monkton provides coaching training for Bath Youth for Christ
Bath Youth for Christ is a Christian faith-based youth and community organisation working with young people in Bath and the surrounding area. They work in partnership with churches, schools, the local police, the local authority and other community organisations delivering youth and schools work and training and equipping others to do so.
Monkton Senior School offered coaching training to Youth for Christ staff to help them develop their listening skills and give them coaching skills to use whilst mentoring young people. The level one coaching course was run in November 2022 by Monkton staff for the whole BYFC team.
Aims: The aim of the partnership was to help BYFC staff develop their listening skills and give them coaching skills to use when mentoring young people in 1:1 sessions.
The immediate beneficiaries were the employees and volunteers from BYFC and also the young people who receive mentoring from BYFC.
Background: A former member of Monkton teaching staff knew the head of BYFC through her Church and invited him to attend a Monkton- run coaching course. This was in 2021, in 2022, the level one coaching course was run for the whole BYFC team.
Resources: The course was run from BYFC's Roundhill centre by a non- teaching member of staff from Monkton (M. Goodman) and a former teacher from Monkton (D. Ross). BYFC paid a discounted rate of £200 for the course.
Impact: Participants completed a feedback form at the end of the course. We have also received emails from a number of participants saying how helpful they had found it and how they are already implementing the skills learned.
Frequency: This course was a one off for the team, but we are exploring running the level two course for BYFC or for them to join courses at Monkton.
Turleigh Village Defibrillator Training
Monkton supported this training for 60 members of Turleigh Village. D Clark, from Monkton, led this training together with Bradford on Avon GP Practice.
Aims: To share equipment, expertise and experience in using a defibrillator and resuscitation equipment so that community members are confident and competent to use the community device.
60 members of the village community attended the training, led by D Clark, two GPs and a retired nurse.
Background: Bradford on Avon surgery identified this opportunity and approached Monkton for D Clark's support in running the training and using the School's resuscitation equipment. This is an ongoing partnership relationship due to Bradford on Avon GP Practice being the School's surgery.
Resources: Resources used were: Monkton's resuscitation equipment.
1 Monkton non teaching staff member for approximately 5 hours.
Impact: 60 people were trained.
Follow up message from the organiser was as follows, 'Our village has about 40 houses. We were amazed that over 60 [residents] attended the training this week. I was very grateful that D agreed to lead this and shared the “floor” with two GPs and a retired nurse. The training was well received and I'm sure Turleigh is now a safer place to live and visit.'
Frequency: This is an ongoing relationship between the School, the GP Surgery and Turleigh Village.
Foodbank Delivery
Monkton Prep School gathered 98.6kgs of food for the Bath Food Bank, part of the Genesis Trust with whom we have a long term partnership.
Aims: As part of a long term commitment that Monkton has to Genesis Trust, and in view of the cost of living crisis being experienced across the country, Monkton Prep School made a collection for the Food Bank, gathering items to support those who are struggling in our community.
Background: This is part of an ongoing partnership with Genesis. Monkton seeks to organise a fundraising or awareness raising event each term in support of the work of Genesis Trust, and in turn benefits from up to date briefings and talks from Genesis about the situation in our area, and the chance for our pupils to take part in supporting events such as the Bath Half and others organised by Genesis Trust.
Resources: The partnership relies on the support and commitment of the pupil-led school Giving Committee, as well as staff and volunteers who are engaged in being part of this relationship. It is ongoing.
Impact: In this case, 98.6kg of food was donated, but this is just part of the overall picture of how Monkton supports Genesis. In the school year 2021-22, Monkton raised just under £4000 for Genesis Trust through a wide range of events.
Pupil Involvement: Pupils from across Monkton in both Prep and Senior are involved in fundraising, attending talks and supporting events.
Frequency: This is an ongoing partnership.
Wild Swimming at Dundas
As part of our Wild Monkton initiative, we have established a partnership with Open Minds Active, a charity providing opportunities for wild swimming in our area.
Aims: To work together to generate a rich variety of opportunities both for our pupils but for the community in general to experience the outdoors in new ways.
Local groups will be given the opportunity to be part of wild swimming sessions, led by experts, and in turn there will be a number of these sessions made available to Monkton pupils over the year.
Background: We were approached by Open Minds Active about this and were excited to pursue it. The arrangement was formalised in March 2021.
Resources: The initiative uses Monkton facilities and depends on those being shared appropriately and well maintained. The site is regularly used free of charge by small groups for charitable purposes.
Pupil Involvement: Pupils and adults of all ages.
Frequency: This is an ongoing programme and will be due for review in 6 months. We hope that, if successful, it will continue indefinitely.
Community Treasure Hunt
On National Winnie the Pooh Day (Monday, Jan 18th) Monkton pupils who were locked down in the valley set up an arrow trail using sticks, which led through the village to the 'pooh sticks' bridge on Midford Brook. On the bridge they hid A.A. Milne poems and instructions on how to play Pooh Sticks! There are some really fun and cheerful quotes from Winnie the Pooh ...and they thought muddy boots and Pooh sticks followed by honey toast and poems at home were a good idea for lockdown!
This gave them the idea to create an even bigger trail that would last longer; a Treasure Hunt! They have hidden clues throughout the valley ...yellow clues for kids and some harder green clues which cover our different school subjects! It starts at St Michael’s church and can be done over few days depending on how much time you have! We hope this will be a bit of lockdown fun for people of all ages in the community!
Aims: To support the local community with providing an outdoor opportunity to have some fun and do something different.
Background: This was a student-led initiative that developed through their own initiative and a desire to serve the local community.
Resources: The trail uses school grounds and is maintained by the pupils.
Impact: Impact assessment has been qualitative and anecdotal. Children and adults have enjoyed following the trail and fed back their stories from the experience.
Pupil Involvement: The pupils are from year 10 and year 12.
Frequency: An ongoing initiative throughout lockdown.
Genesis Trust Partnership Commitment
Monkton has committed to developing a long term partnership relationship with the Genesis Trust in Bath. This partnership will involve fundraising and support for events, led by our pupil Giving Committee, but also a programme of talks and educational interactions to better engage and inform the pupils and staff.
Aims: The aims of this partnership are to better engage and educate our pupils about social action and philanthropy, whilst at the same time showing long term, committed support to a local charity working amongst some of the most vulnerable people in our community.
Background: It is an extension of a long-standing relationship between Monkton and Genesis Trust, but signals a new opportunity for working together.
The new stage of the partnership developed following the year 10 Justice Project initiative in Religious Studies, where pupils were asked to investigate and respond to a social issue that meant something to them. They chose homelessness and began learning about Genesis Trust and the impact of this organisation.
Impact: Qualitative impacts already experienced are the contributions of inspiring team members from Genesis delivering informal talks, question and answer sessions and supporting fundraising initiatives within school.
Further impacts include the summer sleepout in 2019 that raised funds for Genesis, as well as the Christmas day in Dec 2020 that raised further funds.
Planned events include: a sponsored abseil run in partnership with Genesis, a colour run, a repeat sleepout event, an interactive session as part of the year 12 philanthropy course.
Pupil Involvement: All pupils at both Prep and Senior School in Monkton have the opportunity to be involved in learning about Genesis and issues of homelessness, as well as fundraising events.
Frequency: This is an ongoing series of events and activities.
Grace Church Bath and the Thunderbox
Grace Church Bath have led an outreach initiative to raise funds for the Royal United Hospital in Bath this winter, using the Thunderbox horse trailer from Monkton, kitted out for hot drinks so that they can run outdoor fundraising and outreach events in a range of venues.
Monkton pupils made Christmas wreaths for selling as part of their contribution to this initiative.
Aims: The aims of this partnership are to establish a long-term connection where Grace Church can bring identified needs for support or involvement of our pupils and staff and we can work together to play our part in the local community. In this case it was a specific remit to respond to Covid and raise support to encourage RUH workers and people in hospital over this time but we hope to work together on a wide range of projects in the coming years.
Background: The partnership came about through a request from Grace Church for use of the trailer. It began in November 2020.
Resources: The horsebox (Thunderbox) was a key resource in this instance, but resources may vary over time.
Impact: So far two outreach events have been held in the local area, one for a school and one at the local Sainsbury's supermarket. More events are planned in the run up to Christmas. All funds raised will be spent on supporting the RUH.
Pupil Involvement: Monkton pupils at the Senior School were involved in making Christmas wreaths for Grace Church to sell as part of their fundraising initiative.
Frequency: The initial series of events are a pilot and, if successful, can be repeated year on year.
Virtual VE Day Service for Royal British Legion Members
Monkton's School Staff Instructor made use of the school chapel to put together a virtual VE Day Service for the Royal British Legion to commemorate the 75th Anniversary. He was supported by the school IT team in editing and distributing the service.
Walcot Warriors Rugby Partnership
Monkton pupil was given the opportunity to volunteer at Walcot Warriors rugby club, helping with sessions each Wednesday evening.
Aims: The aims of this partnership are to support a local initiative that is important, whilst giving Monkton pupils access to volunteering opportunities beyond their everyday experience, equipping them with skills and broadening their engagement with others.
The need was identified by a Monkton staff member with links to the club.
Background: This partnership came about through the initiative of the Monkton staff member, the willingness of the rugby club to provide this opportunity, and the engagement of the pupil.
Resources: There is not financial contribution.
Impact: There is qualitative evidence that this partnership benefits the 20 players as well as the Monkton pupil.
Pupil Involvement: The pupil volunteering is 15. The rugby club is mixed ability and mixed ages.
Frequency: This is a weekly, ongoing commitment.
Beavers Rocket Building Activity
Staff ran a 1 hour session at Rode Beavers showing the pupil how to design and build a rocket before launching them outside.
Aims: To give the beaver's pupils a short session learning about how rockets work and build their own.
Background: Request from the Beavers for the involvement of a parent in running this activity. Monkton staff member, whose child attends Beavers, volunteered to lead it.
Resources: One teaching staff member for a single session.
The Monkton DT rocket launcher and 30 sheets of A4 paper.
Impact: Pupil and staff feedback was very positive. Great involvement of pupils and linked to school project at the time.
Pupil Involvement: 20 primary school age pupils were involved.
Frequency: This was a single session (25/6/2019) but it is hoped that it will be repeated.
Links with Teaching Departments of Bath Spa University
This project is about creating ties with undergraduate and post graduate departments of Education.
The initiative brings in trainee teachers to Monkton Prep School for experience in the classroom as well as those training for a Masters in SpLD Dyslexia for in class room practical experience and support.
Aims: Creating ties with undergraduate and post graduate departments of Education.
Background: The Masters degree is very academic and students need practical experience whilst we welcome extra support in certain classrooms with certain learners who have extra needs.
The opportunity was identified by a Learning Support Staff member at Monkton Prep School.
Resources: It involves the use of Monkton Prep School facilities.
Impact: This relationship works both ways if Sencos and Management teams engage with Bath Spa Teacher Training leaders.
Frequency: This initiative has been in place since January 2015. It will be ongoing as long as the relationship is nurtured as the mutual benefits are evident.
Genesis Trust Commitment
This year has seen an amazing range of activities and events held by our pupil led Giving Committee in support of the Genesis Trust in Bath.
We enjoyed a festive finery day in December, raising funds and awareness about homelessness in Bath. This was followed by an impromptu sponsored sleep out by a staff member in an igloo made by pupils from the snow that fell in February which ended up raising over £750 in one night. Later we ran a whole school sponsored virtual Alps crossing event in which pupils set personal distance targets and ran or walked a distance of their choosing. As lockdowns lifted, we were able to hold a sponsored abseil in collaboration with Genesis Trust and Dave Talbot Abseiling from the roof of our Maths and Science building in the summer term as well as a Fairtrade tuck shop at our end of year music festival.
Aims: The aims of this partnership are to strengthen our pupils awareness of the world they live in and to encourage them to engage with social problems in a way that shows compassion and responsibility. Helping our young people to look beyond themselves and develop kindness, service and an attitude of proactive confidence.
Background: Monkton has had a long-established relationship with Genesis Trust but we felt that it was important to commit to a more predictable level of support for an agreed period. We have therefore committed to running at least 3 events per year in support of Genesis for a period of up to 5 years.
Resources: The pupil-led Giving Committee is central to the success of this partnership as they organise the events and motivate pupils to take part.
The Genesis Trust team are also incredible in their support, providing speakers to come and raise awareness but also encouraging and supporting Monkton in our planning of events.
Impact: Over £8000 raised for Genesis Trust over this academic year.
Pupil Involvement: Close to all of the pupils in Monkton, both prep and senior, have been engaged in at least one event over this year in support of Genesis Trust.
Frequency: There is a rolling programme of events over the year, with no less than 3 main events over the academic year.
Monkton supports the Fox Hill Community Centre Christmas Lunch
Monkton's pupil-led giving committee attended the Fox Hill Community Centre's Christmas lunch to set tables, serve food, wash up and sing Christmas carols.
Aims: The aims of this partnership are to support the local community through practical service, to give our pupils opportunities to meet people from the local area and share their stories, as well as to engage on a practical level with activities that enrich the community.
The immediate beneficiaries were the St Andrew's Community Church team who had additional support to carry out the tasks, but also the 35 (approx) community members who shared a Christmas lunch together.
Background: It came about through the close connections between the school and church through the parent and student body. The opportunity was identified by a parent. This is the second year we have done this.
Resources: 2 staff needed for supervision. Minibus for transport.
Impact: 11 pupils took part.
Pupil Involvement: 11 pupils aged between 15 - 18 took part.
2 staff members.
Frequency: Annual event
St Michael's Sunday School
A small group of sixth form pupils have stepped in to support a growing Sunday School in Monkton village. Together they have planned and led weekly sessions for the children in our village.
Aims: This partnership came about because the local church was looking to welcome more young families to the church and extend their provision for children in the area, and needed additional hands to take the lead on this.
At the same time, Monkton pupils were looking for genuinely outward facing, service opportunities in our community as part of their Duke of Edinburgh volunteering responsibility.
Background: The church approached the school about the opportunity and we were excited to get involved.
Resources: It is really important that the school can continue to provide a steady stream of leaders for this initiative, so that the provision is consistent. We are delighted that all the pupils involved this year, have opted to continue leading this project next year despite the fact that their Duke of Edinburgh award is now complete. It will be important to do succession planning so that each year a group is available to fulfil this role. We are also hugely grateful to D Clark who is both a Monkton staff member and member of the church and who identified the opportunity, and oversees this partnership.
Impact: This group has meant that the Sunday school has been able to run weekly during term time since January 2022. There are currently up to 7 children who attend at any one time, but numbers are growing.
Review below from Davinia Clark- member of St. Michaels's Church
The pupils have been amazing as Sunday School leaders at St Michael's Church Monkton Combe. They have come every Sunday for two and a half terms. They were always enthusiastic, well prepared and full of ideas and fun. They worked very well as a team and with very little guidance, using their own ideas.
This was not a straightforward task, our Sunday School covers a large age range, 3 - 14 years old and could number 3 - 12 youngsters. We do not have a separate room to meet, and have pitched a gazebo in the vestry and made a Bedouin tent. So not an ideal location. They were not fazed by needing to be prepared for such a variety of scenarios, with no notice!
I know the children have loved coming to Sunday school, they have created beautiful pictures and cards and were able to talk about the Bible stories they had been learning about and had a lot of fun. They have insisted on writing many cards expressing their enjoyment, and how much they like there leaders.
The Monkton pupils always stayed behind after the service to chat to us older members of the church and we are very grateful for their support.
Pupil Involvement: Three sixth form pupils lead this project, and attend weekly to run the session, having planned it in advance.
Frequency: This is an ongoing partnership that we are seeking to establish for the long term.
Community Christmas Lunch
Monkton pupils and staff served at a community lunch, together with a church outreach group, to bring people together to celebrate Christmas as a community.
Aims: The aim of this partnership was to support the community with their Christmas event, as well as to engage our pupils in a positive service opportunity in the community.
Background: The partnership was identified by a Monkton parent and a pupil member of the school Giving Committee.
Resources: We used school transport and staff to supervise.
Impact: Feedback from the event organisers:
"Thank you so very much for arranging for the students (and Molly and Alice!) to come today to help at the Foxhill community Christmas lunch! They were all incredible and worked really hard! They were an absolute credit to the school and impressed everyone in the way they interacted with people, served, washed up and basically just got so cheerfully involved from the minute they arrived! Everyone (organisers and guests) wants them back again! I do hope we can do something like this again! It was really lovely to have so many from the community ... we had over 65 people of all ages, (from the elderly knitters to the Year 11's) together! Ella and Ella were so lovely chatting with the knit & natter ladies (who loved being served by them!) ... and Fin and Flora were stars doing all the washing up! They were all fantastic and everyone at Foxhill Focus passes on their thanks to them all and so enjoyed having them!"
Pupil Involvement; Year 11's, 6th form pupils and 2 staff members, as well as two staff organisers.
Frequency: This was a single but repeatable event which we hope will happen each year.
Year 10 Justice Project
Every year pupils in year 10 are given the opportunity to spend time exploring areas of social injustice in the world, and researching organisations who work to make a difference in these areas. Following this, pupils select an organisation or issue that is particularly meaningful to them, and work together to develop a practical response.
This year the group chose International Justice Mission to support as a result of the work they do to combat human trafficking. Pupils researched how human trafficking is impacting on people even in our own community, and came up with a plan to raise awareness and funds for IJM by making posters and flyers and setting up an ice-lolly stand at the end of year sports day. They raised £76 in this way.
Aims: To engage pupils in social justice, allowing them to feel empowered to then make a small positive change as a result. To develop compassion, engagement and awareness so that our pupils increasingly play their part in society.
Immediate beneficiaries in this case were International Justice Mission, but perhaps more importantly, there is now a group of young people who are aware of the problem of human trafficking and modern day slavery and are motivated to help combat it.
Background: This case study is the result of an innovation project begun in 2019 to connect our pupils to the community they live in and to inspire them to play their part in bringing positive change to issues that concern them.
Resources: This initiative uses staff teaching time and departmental budgets to support the ideas that are developed.
Impact: In two years we have seen creative projects that included:
- an experiential initiative to raise awareness about the challenges of single parenting by asking a year group to take care of an interactive doll for a day
- a sponsored garden sleepout in support of Genesis Trust
- letter writing to the local council about the development of green spaces
- a rap raising awareness about poverty that was produced and recorded in-house
- a bake sale
Pupil Involvement: All of the pupils in year 10 at Monkton
Frequency: It runs for a whole term on an annual cycle and the intention is to keep developing it for future years.
House Giving Fortnights
Each boarding house at Monkton has a dedicated two week period in which to shine a spotlight on a charity of their choice, raising awareness and funds through shared activities and events.
Creative responses this year have included festive wreath making, an outdoor cinema event, collections for Bath Foodbank, car washing, sweet deliveries, cake sales, raffles and competitions.
Aims: The aims of this initiative are to engage pupils with matters of social justice and to encourage pupil-led engagement. It is about raising awareness and giving our young people a sense of the part they can play in being part of a positive response to issues they care about. It is also about encouraging them to look beyond themselves and develop practical compassion.
Background: This approach has been part of the Monkton ethos since its establishment as a school. However, this year has seen a re-launch of our pupil-led Giving Committee and the development of these specific fortnights to engage the whole school in a focused approach.
Resources: The support of both staff and the pupil body is critical to the success of these partnerships. Each boarding house team works hard to deliver creative events and to engage pupils. The overall Giving Committee also supports with the planning and promotion of these initiatives.
Impact: Total funds raised through giving fortnights this academic year is over £1400 spread across the chosen organisations. Pupil awareness and engagement have also increased but evidence for this is anecdotal and qualitative at this stage.
Pupil Involvement: All pupils across the whole senior school are engaged in giving fortnights each year.
Frequency: These events take place over 6 fortnights spread out over the academic year. They will continue annually.
Christmas Letter Writing
Pupils at both Monkton Prep and Monkton Senior wrote personal, handwritten letters to every member of the Monkton community, and many local care homes and churches in our area.
Aims: The aim of this initiative was to combat isolation and loneliness in our community, reaching out to the elderly in our wider community and giving our pupils the opportunity to show kindness and to share some of their experience with others less fortunate than themselves. In so doing, we hoped to develop empathy and a sense of being able to do a small act of kindness that might make someone's day.
Background: This was an initiative we trialled for the first time this year in response to the pandemic and the desire to build connections for people and help those in our community not to feel isolated.
Resources: The initiative took considerable time and was a lovely effort from the pupils, many of whom greatly enjoyed it. Teaching and operational staff supervised letter writing sessions and assisted with the administration of the initiative.
Impact: We received many incredible letters of response from grateful recipients. Over 500 personal, handwritten letters were sent in total.
Pupil Involvement: All pupils were involved from across all year groups.
Frequency: This will now be an annual event here at Monkton to mark the end of the Christmas term.
Community Art Outreach
Together with Bath Youth Offending Service we are working to produce and distribute a series of short art tutorials along with resource packs to young people in our area.
Aims: The aim of this initiative is to support young people in our area during this challenging time of lockdown. We hope that the videos and equipment will inspire young people to try something new, to find new skills and to grow in confidence through these interactions.
We hope that one of the long term effects of this will be to launch a growing partnership with Bath Youth Offending Service, finding ways to support the vital work that they do with children and young people in our area.
Background: Monkton approached the Bath Youth Offending Service as a result of hearing about some of the engagement challenges that there are for young people unable to access a normal school education at the moment.
Resources: This initiative has taken the planning and recording time of two members of the Monkton Art and Design Department. They have worked together tirelessly to produce high quality, well edited resources that can be easily applied in a variety of contexts.
Additional resources to support the project are the free art resource packs that we have produced and shared with the Bath Youth Offending Service for distribution. This contribution is part of our partnerships commitment to the relationship.
Impact: So far, nine resource packs have been shared. Much of the impact will be qualitative and anecdotal but we hope it will inspire and encourage the young people who use these resources.
Pupil Involvement: All pupils involved are senior school age.
Frequency: This is an ongoing project until Easter when it will be evaluated and next steps will be formulated.
Supporting Vaccination Efforts
A volunteer from the Monkton staff is transporting patients from the Avenue Surgery in Warminster to Westbury vaccination centre each Saturday.
Using school minibuses we can transport 5 patients every 90 mins with a break of 15 mins to clean the bus.
This has enabled the surgery to offer the service to vulnerable patients every Saturday, those in the top four categories, until complete.
Aims: The aim of this partnership is to support the vaccination efforts in our local area, enabling additional weekend services through the sharing of our minibuses and volunteers.
Background: The opportunity was identified by Andy Clarke here at Monkton.
Resources: Minibuses and staff time.
Impact: At least 12 additional vulnerable patients access vaccinations each Saturday.
Frequency: Weekly for as long as this service is needed.
Sponsored Igloo Sleepout
As part of our commitment to the Genesis Trust in Bath, pupils and staff members built a giant snow igloo and then Mr O'Reilly spent the whole night in it to raise funds and awareness about the work of Genesis Trust in supporting the homeless and vulnerable in our area. He raised over £750 in one night!
Aims: To support the work of Genesis Trust, one of our key partner charities
Resources: This involved teaching staff
Impact: £770 raised in support of Genesis Trust Bath
Pupil Involvement: 50 pupils were involved in the making of the igloo
Frequency: It was a one-off event but a part of our long term commitment to raising funds and awareness.
A Rocha Partner In Action
This October Monkton became a formal Partner in Action with the Christian Conservation Organisation, A Rocha.
The Partners in Action are a collaborative network of Christian land managers demonstrating active care for the natural world.
This network is coordinated by A Rocha UK; We work with A Rocha in practical ways such as participating in joint conservation work, sharing ideas and information, and by praying for one another.
Other Partners in Action include youth outdoor centres, community groups, intentional communities and retreat centres but Monkton is the first school to join A Rocha in this way.
Aims: The aim of the partnership is to have a positive impact on the land and our pupils and visitors out of a conviction that Christians have a responsibility to care for the natural world and those who inhabit it.
Research shows that today, average 8 yr olds are more able to identify video game characters than native species such as oak trees and beetles.
One clear benefit of time outdoors is the increase in cognitive gains for our students - again research shows that school students engaged in learning in natural environments have been found to have higher achievement (in comparison to their peers or projected attainment) in reading, mathematics, science and social studies; exhibit enhanced progress in physical education and drama, and have a greater motivation for studying science. It increases skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, decision-making and creativity
Background: This partnership has developed over a number of years through the initiatives and hard work of the sustainability leads at Monkton. With the launch of the Wild Monkton initiative this year, it was the perfect time to formalise the partnership.
Resources: This partnership is about managing the site carefully so that it fulfils its environmental potential.
Teaching staff, ground staff and pupils are all involved in a wide range of conservation activities. There is a weekly conservation group that runs alongside this, setting the direction for the school in this regard.
Impact: Re-development of the Mill Field - nature trails, hides, outdoor learning spaces and habitat restoration.
500 trees planted this academic year so far on the site.
Development of a new pond for pond-dipping activities and enhancing the natural habitat of the valley.
House allotments for vegetable growing and outdoor learning.
Pupil Involvement: So far, over 450 pupils have been involved in some aspect of this partnership activity.
Frequency: This is a long term, ongoing partnership.
Community Observatory Restoration Project
Bath Astronomers are working with Monkton to restore the telescope and observatory on site so that it can be used by the community.
Aims: Together with Bath Astronomers, Monkton is restoring the observatory and telescope so that it can be used again.
Resources: The observatory is on site at Monkton Senior School, accessible from the Governors' Field Carpark.
Impact: Once up and running again, this will be a fantastic resource to be shared by the school and the community.
Frequency: This is an ongoing partnership.
Supplies for Discovery Somerset Care Home
In response to a plea for resources, Monkton has provided gloves, aprons, face masks, science goggles, wipes and home made visors with disposable screens to the front line health professionals working at Discovery Somerset, a charity run care home outside Bath as well as a range of local GP surgeries, hospitals and care homes.
Aims: To show support and share resources as part of a community response to help local care home staff and health professionals stay safe as they fight the Covid-19 virus.
Background: This partnership came about through links that Monkton staff have with the community.
Resources: We have a finite amount of stock but are confident that it is being put to its best use in serving the community at this time.
Critical to the success of this process is ongoing communication between partners so that we can understand the needs and find ways to help meet them.
The Monkton domestic and medical teams have been critical to the success of this partnership as they are able to understand the needs and ensure that we can use what we have wisely.
Impact: Over 400 visors produced & donated, with more being made and delivered on a daily basis.
From the Monkton Medical Centre: 400 gloves, 100 aprons and 400 hard surface wipes provided.
From Monkton Domestics Department:
Latex gloves - 4 x 100 Large & 8 x 100 medium
Rubber gloves - 24 x large, 24 medium and 12 small
Gauntlets - 2 x pairs
Goggles x 2
Disposable aprons - most of a pack of 100
Frequency: We hope that these links will continue for as long as we are able to be of service.
Protective Masks for Royal United Hospital, Bath
Monkton has jointed the #CoronaFightback efforts by producing quantities of protective masks each day for RUH Bath as well as many others, both in the UK and Guinea, in our Design Technology Department. These full face protective visors have all been accepted by the RUH for use as PPE by doctors and nurses fighting Covid-19.
This project is a collaboration between DT Teachers across UK schools in response to the shortfall of necessary supplies. Monkton is sharing designs and ideas and schools are working together to keep improving, producing and delivering this vital equipment.
The project is now running 12 hours a day, 7 days a week in an effort to meet a growing demand. Latest production figures show that Monkton alone is producing over 500 masks daily, using a team of volunteers from the staff body to man the 3D printers and help sterilise and distribute the masks.
Aims: The Monkton Design department are working around the clock to make and deliver full face visors for use as PPE by health professionals fighting Covid-19, with the entire available stock to date being requested by the RUH Bath. Masks have also been delivered to local GP Surgeries and care homes.
A range of masks has been designed by a collaboration of Design Technology teachers around the country who are trying to make as many as possible to help meet the demand for them.
Monkton Design have produced 3 versions: a 3D printed version that takes 4 hours to make each one, a laser cut visor where they can produce 20 per hour and a handmade visor manufactured through batch production, where they can produce 40+ an hour. The visors are sterilised post manufacture and delivered by school volunteers resident in Monkton.
Additionally, the Monkton Science department has donated their goggles from the laboratories, some of which are being given to South West Ambulance Service in addition to some of the visors produced.
Background: This initiative is a response to the urgent need for Personal Protective Equipment for front line health professionals.
Resources: They are starting to run out of stock material, but will hopefully be able to order more as the demand for them is so high and they would like to make as many as they possibly can. Designs and productivity are improving all the time as we innovate and use feedback to refine the process.
The Monkton Design & Technology Department is where these are being produced.
All costs are being met internally.
Impact: More than 500 visors are now being produced and distributed daily.
Frequency: Ongoing for as long as the need exists and the necessary stock material can be sourced.
Monkton Combe Choral Society
Each week, a group of up to one hundred people from the local community and including pupils, parents and staff from Monkton, come together for a two hour rehearsal led by the Director of Music here at Monkton.
The group works together to put on two concerts each year in the Bowerman Hall at the Senior School, drawing a range of professional orchestras, performers and a diverse audience.
Aims: The aim of this initiative is to bring the school and community together around creative projects, leading to high quality performances which are accessible and affordable. It is really about members enjoying singing together.
Critical factors for success include the availability of Monkton's Director of Music, the ability to use the Bowerman Hall on a weekly basis and the ongoing support of the members of the society.
Immediate beneficiaries include a wide range of members of the local community who can receive weekly training, build connections with other members of the community, and take part in the process. Other beneficiaries include pupils, staff and parents.
Background: This project was the inspiration of Monkton's Director of Music, designed as an enrichment and outreach programme.
It has been running since 2010.
Resources: It uses the Bowerman Hall at Monkton Senior School and relies on the time and efforts of the Director of Music.
Additional teaching and non-teaching staff can take part on a voluntary basis but are not required for running this initiative.
All members of the society pay a termly fee of £25 to contribute to running costs associated with putting on the performances, hiring music. This price includes a free concert ticket.
Impact: The popularity of the concerts as seen in audience sizes are an indication of the success of this project.
Annecdotal evidence suggests that it has contributed towards individuals experiencing reduced social isolation, building friendships and learning new skills.
Pupil Involvement: A range of pupils take part in the society, generally in the senior years.
Frequency: This is an ongoing activity that runs weekly. It is hoped to continue indefinitely as it has a very loyal membership.
