Muirkirk Primary has recently been awarded for its dedication to the emotional wellbeing of children and young people at the school.

The school was awarded ‘SEL Worldwide Model School’ status after they successfully integrated the UK version of the Barnardo's charity's PATHS Programme for Schools into daily life.

It's the first school in East Ayrshire to receive the accolade.

This social and emotional learning (SEL) programme supports children from a young age to raise awareness of their feelings and helps them to develop self-regulation skills.

Anne McLean, Head Teacher at Muirkirk Primary School and ECC, said: “We are delighted to be the first school in East Ayrshire to achieve Model School status!

"We love the PATHS Programme; it has had a really positive impact across our school community.

"The PATHS Programme is now fully embedded, and I cannot imagine not using it now. It is part of who we are!”

This prestigious SEL Award is awarded Barnardo’s in recognition of each winner's outstanding commitment to fostering emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and overall wellbeing amongst school pupils.

Cumnock Chronicle: PATHS Coach Alice Gilmour.PATHS Coach Alice Gilmour. (Image: East Ayrshire Council)

The activities in the PATHS programme are designed to help children’s development in learning to regulate their emotions, boost self-esteem, increase their emotional awareness and teach them problem-solving skills.

This includes within relationships and friendships, with the aim of improving the mental health of nursery and primary school pupils.

Staff and pupils from Muirkirk were presented with their awards by a programme co-ordinator from Barnardo’s.

Cumnock Chronicle: Muirkirk Primary young people explain their PATHS journey.Muirkirk Primary young people explain their PATHS journey. (Image: East Ayrshire Council)

Among those at the school to see the presentation of the award were Councillor Elaine Cowan, East Ayrshire's spokesperson for education, children and young people, local ward councillors Alyson Simmons and William Lennox, and the local authority's head of education, Linda McAulay-Griffiths.

Councillor Cowan said: “It was fantastic to join Anne and the team at Muirkirk Primary for their award celebrations.

"The children and young people explained how the PATHS Programme worked through song and a play, clearly demonstrating how they use control signals to manage their emotions and how they give compliments to their peers.

"It was a lot of fun but the message was clear that PATHS has been a very positive experience.

“The event was a real celebration of three years of hard work by the whole school community and I was delighted to be there to offer my congratulations on being the first school in East Ayrshire to receive their SEL Award.”

Jenna Richmond, senior lead early years practitioner, added: “The PATHS programme has made a huge difference in the Early Childhood Centre.

"Our children can label their feelings more accurately, recognising that sometimes we have different feelings to other people and that is OK.

"Importantly, the PATHS Programme has helped the children regulate their feelings more effectively. The children love the PATHS Programme, and we can really see the benefits.”