Becoming a Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Aware School

We are excited to share that our school is taking important steps to better support all of our students by becoming a Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Aware school. This approach is based on the understanding that experiences of trauma, particularly in childhood, can deeply impact a child's ability to learn, form relationships, and succeed in school. By recognising and responding to these needs with care and understanding, we aim to create a safer, more supportive environment for every student.

What Does Trauma-Informed Mean?

A Trauma-Informed approach means that our school is committed to understanding the widespread impact of trauma on students' emotional, social, and academic development. It means that we use this knowledge to guide our interactions, teaching methods, and policies. This approach helps us to better respond to challenging behaviours and provides students with the tools and support they need to thrive.

What Does Attachment-Aware Mean?

Being Attachment-Aware means that we understand how early relationships with caregivers shape children's emotional and social development. We recognise that students may come to school with different attachment experiences and needs, and we work to foster strong, supportive relationships within the school environment to help students build trust, feel safe, and form positive connections with peers and adults.

The PACE Approach

As part of our journey to becoming Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Aware, we are incorporating the PACE approach into our practice. Developed by Dr. Dan Hughes, PACE stands for:

• P – Playfulness: Engaging with children in a light-hearted, fun, and playful way to help them feel relaxed and safe. Playfulness helps students to feel more comfortable and reduces anxiety, opening the door for better learning and communication.

• A – Acceptance: Showing warmth, acceptance, and understanding towards children, no matter their behaviour. It helps children feel respected and valued, which is essential in building trust and a positive relationship.

• C – Curiosity: Approaching difficult or challenging behaviours with curiosity rather than judgment. By showing genuine interest in understanding the feelings and needs behind a child's behaviour, we can help them feel seen and understood.

• E – Empathy: Demonstrating a deep sense of empathy, acknowledging and validating the child's emotions. This helps them feel supported and understood, which fosters emotional healing and positive growth.

The PACE approach is at the heart of how we build strong, supportive relationships with our students, especially those who may have experienced trauma or attachment difficulties. It encourages a caring, patient, and responsive way of interacting that helps students feel safe, respected, and valued.

Our Bronze Award Achievement

We are proud to announce that our school has earned the Bronze Level Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Aware Award! This is a significant achievement, recognising our commitment to implementing trauma-informed practices across the school and ensuring that staff are trained to support students with emotional and behavioural needs.

Our Ongoing Journey

While we are thrilled with this achievement, our work is far from over. We are continuing to build on this foundation as we work towards Silver and eventually Gold levels of recognition. Our journey will involve further professional development for staff, implementing restorative practices, and consistently refining our approach to meeting the evolving needs of our students.

How This Affects Your Child

The benefits of becoming a Trauma-Informed and Attachment-Aware school are immense. Students will experience:

• More personalised and empathetic support to help them succeed, regardless of their background.
• A nurturing school environment that fosters strong relationships and emotional growth.
• Improved behaviour management that focusses on understanding the reasons behind challenging behaviours rather than just disciplining them.
• A greater sense of safety and belonging, especially for children who may have experienced trauma or struggled with attachment.

We believe this work is crucial for the wellbeing of every child, and we are excited to continue our growth in this area to ensure that all students feel valued, understood, and supported.

What Can You Do?

As parents, your role is vital in supporting this approach. Here are some ways you can get involved:

• Stay informed: Learn more about trauma, attachment, and the PACE approach and how they affect learning.
• Communicate with us: If your child has experienced trauma or has attachment-related needs, we encourage you to share this information with us so we can provide the best possible support.
• Support your child: Encourage your child to express their emotions, and validate their feelings. You can also use the PACE principles in your interactions at home to foster a warm, empathetic, and understanding environment.

Together, we can ensure that every child at our school has the opportunity to thrive emotionally, socially, and academically.

If you have any questions or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.