Three schools in Sefton have been recognised for going the extra mile in supporting children and young people to navigate difficult emotions and experiences.

To be eligible for the award schools must prove they have taken steps to provide a positive educational environment that is sensitive to children who have faced adversity or negative experiences.

The award is a nationally recognised accreditation that acknowledges schools that have made a commitment to embed a culture of attachment and trauma sensitivity in everything they do. This can range from giving children space in the day to reflect and vocalise their feelings, to removing punitive responses to emotional outbursts and instead looking to find the root cause to a child’s behaviour.

Springwell Park Primary School in Bootle (Gold), Cambridge Road Nursery in Bootle (Silver) and St Jerome’s Pre School in Formby (Bronze) all commented how embedding this approach has not only helped students in school but also relationships with families at home.

Sefton’s Interim Head of Education said:

“Congratulations to the three schools who have undertaken this award. To get recognition for the excellent work you do with our children must be so rewarding and I know children in your schools are benefiting from the work you have put in.

“I would encourage any school in Sefton to take a look the trauma sensitive approach and see how it could be implemented across their school. Not only does this approach benefit children and support them through negative experiences and difficult emotions but happy, supported children learn better and cope better at home too!

“So many of our schools are already taking this approach and reaping the benefits and we will do all we can to support schools to nurture the wellbeing of our children here in Sefton.”

For more information about this award, visit Travellin - Home (attachmentandtraumasensitiveschoolsaward.com)

For support from the Council in this approach, you can contact Heather Pearce on heather.pearce@sefton.gov.uk