Hartwell School celebrate Bronze Level Award

Accredited by Jennifer Nock Training and Consultancy, the award aims to provide a framework of support and understanding for schools to support children and young people who have experienced adversity and assist in helping them to heal, thrive, play and learn.

The Attachment and Trauma-Sensitive Schools Award is an external sign of recognition of the commitment of the staff from Hartwell and the steps taken to develop a culture of compassion and nurture, which plays a pivotal role in getting children and young people into a state of ‘learning readiness’. The Award is valid for two years and will run from May 2021 to May 2023.

The award is issued only to those educational establishments that can demonstrate that they have met its rigorous quality standards and can maintain them over time.

In a letter to Elaine Buckton, Senior Therapist, who has been working with staff to provide evidence and prepare for the award, Jennifer noted:

• ‘The personalised, individual approach to all pupils is evidenced through numerous practices, including induction and information gathering, ongoing formal and informal assessment and observation, and reflective dialogue and practice. Knowledge of each pupil’s needs across the developmental spectrum underpins relationships, interactions, and planning, and you along with other members of staff provided particularly powerful evidence of this.’
• ‘The commitment of the leadership team to developing a culture of attachment and trauma sensitivity has been demonstrated through high investment in CPD for all staff. Leaders’ passion has led to a shared vision of how to deliver the best experiences and outcomes for all the pupils at Hartwell School. Staff are trained to a very high standard and show an excellent understanding of attachment and trauma-related issues.’
• ‘Quality staff care and emotional support to protect mental health and well-being is multi-leveled and provided at a very high level, through SLT and varied therapeutic and peer support.’
• ‘Staff are fully aware of the importance of viewing a child through a developmental lens rather than a chronological one.’

Elaine commented:

"The Bronze Award is the culmination of two years of hard work here at Hartwell. Our amazing staff team have taken on board so much learning and have been willing to develop their  knowledge of attachment and trauma into practice with our young people, who are at the forefront of everything we do here. The award is a welcome recognition and acknowledgment of this. I am looking forward to September when I will start working with staff towards achieving the Silver Level of the Attachment and Trauma-Sensitive Schools Award."

Well done to everyone at Hartwell.