TRAUMA INFORMED SCHOOLS AND SETTINGS AWARD DIRECTORY:
Wales
1. Plasmarl Primary School (Primary, S Wales- Swansea): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
" Plasmarl provides a safe, caring and nurturing environment in which every child is encouraged and supported to flourish and feel happy and secure as they learn. Because of the supportive positive relationships that exist between adults and children, that are consistent and PACEful, there is a shared joy in all that takes place. The school team are passionate, skilled and dedicated to their work – ensuring every child is well-cared for."
2. Pen Y Cwm (Special School, South Wales- Ebbw Vale): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Pen Y Cwn
3. Gladstone Primary (Primary, South Wales-Barry) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Gladstone is a large mainstream Primary School in Barry, The Vale of Glamorgan. We have 500 children and 2 SEMH ( social , emotional, and mental health) classes for Foundation Phase and Ks2 children who have experienced significant trauma within their lives.
4. Ysgol Bryn Derw (Special School, South Wales- Gwent) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Ysgol Bryn Derw is the only dedicated ASD Special School in Gwent. The name of the school translates as Oak Hill, and we see our mission as to help pupils to overcome their individual obstacles to learning (the hill) and to help our pupils flourish into well-equipped adults who can function successfully in their community (the growing oak tree).
Ysgol Bryn Derw opened in September 2017 and is a Local Education Authority maintained, special day school which educates children and young people with Autism and associated learning difficulties, in the age range of 4-19 years. The school has a range of facilities including independent living skills areas, a Rebound Therapy room, soft-play and sensory rooms, Forest School area and bespoke classrooms. In February 2020 a refurbished building for Secondary age pupils was opened with a living skills kitchen and two additional classrooms. The range of therapeutic interventions is broad and includes Music Therapy, visits from Occupational Therapists and Speech and Language Therapists, and Rebound Therapy.
5. Ysgol Y Deri (Special School, South Wales- Penarth) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Ysgol Y Deri is a special school for pupils aged 3 to 19 who have a very wide range of conditions, diagnoses, mental health difficulties and cognitive ability. Within the same school, there are pupils who have profound and multiple learning difficulties working on the very early developmental skills as well as pupils who are working towards GCSEs who have a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome and experience very high levels of anxiety. They strive to ensure that the environment, innovative curriculum and trauma and mental health informed approach ensures all pupils can flourish.
“Ysgol Y Deri is an inspiring environment in which young people are nurtured and supported to thrive, often in the most complex and challenging of circumstances. The foundation underpinning the work of the school is that positive relationships and connectedness with the young people is paramount. Then and only then is it possible to secure the best outcomes.”
6. Crownbridge School (Special School, South Wales- Cwmbran) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Crownbridge school aim to provide a rich leaning environment with a variety of learning experiences which are geared towards enabling each pupil to experience success in a happy, caring and secure environment. However, more and more, they understand that the pupil’s well being is as important as their curriculum needs. They strive to promote positive mental health in a variety of ways to help pupils and staff through not only their school/work experience, but through all aspects of their life. They are proactive in ensuring an ethos, environment and relationships to not only protect all children and young people from harm, but also actively promote positive emotional and mental health and social development. The school works closely with families and outside agencies such as, social services to ensure they have a well-rounded picture of their pupils. Within the school, there are staff specialised in TIS, Positive Behaviour, MOVE, Pet Therapy, Rebound, SALT, Physiotherapy, Hydrotherapy, Attention Autism amongst many that support our pupils needs.
“Crownbridge School is a warm, caring school that supports its young people trough carefully constructed personalised plans that are delivered within an environment that is playful, accepting , curious and emphatic. The adults are exceptionally supportive towards the children and the levels of care given ensure that children settle quickly and love coming to school. The school environment has been carefully developed and is sensorially rich. Children are encouraged to follow learning pathways that reflect their needs and interests and as a result they are developing positive self esteem and better mental wellbeing.”
7. Ysgol Cefnllys (Primary, Mid Wales- Llandrindod Wells): Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools Award
There are no raised voices in the school because of a carefully researched and designed behaviour policy driven by school leaders and staff. This school is a seen as a lifeline to some of the families as a result of the important work they are doing to support families when faced with life’s challenges. "
8. Brynllywarch Hall School (Special School, Mid Wales- Newtown)- Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Brynllywarch Hall School is a school for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. The school is situated in mid-Wales, just outside the small, rural village of Kerry and surrounded by countryside. The school has several facilities set up to help promote positive mental health and wellbeing for the pupils. There is an animal house and small farm alongside a forest, which enables our pupils to spend as much time with animals and around nature as possible. An environment which really helps our learners to regulate. There is also a Music house and workshop which pupils can access to use as an outlet for creative passions, as well as making things to sell through enterprise projects.
The importance of positive relationships between all members of our school community is outlined in the school vision –‘Brynllywarch Hall School provides a fresh start where there are high expectations through challenge for all by all. Quality teaching and nurture enables all of our students to manage their emotions and take their place in society as lifelong learners.
9. Ysgol Gynradd Y Talwrn (Primary, North Wales- Anglesey): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Ysgol Gynradd Y Talwrn is a small, rural, Welsh medium primary school, which provides education for children aged 4-11 years old and is located on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales. ‘Respect, Effort and Honesty’ are the school’s key values, which are the basis of everything we do. There is a supportive, family ethos at the school and the whole school community; staff, parents, Governors and members of the local community; all work together keenly for the benefit of our children and families. To this end, we welcome the new Curriculum for Wales with its emphasis on the wellbeing of children, to ensure that every child is happy and resilient so that they may overcome challenges and fulfil their full potential in an ever changing world.
"Ysgol Y Talwrn provides a caring, warm and friendly environment in which every child is encouraged and supported to flourish and feel happy and secure as they learn. Because of the positive relationships that exist between adults and children, that are consistent and PACEful, there is a shared joy in all that takes place. The school team are skilled, passionate and dedicated to their work – ensuring every child is well-looked after and valued as an individual. Staff ensure that families are involved in their child’s education so that they can all succeed. The head teacher and other TIS practitioner have ensured that all staff have been equipped with the knowledge and understanding needed to use PRRRs and PACE to best effect – this is evident in all aspects of the school. The children love their school and value the adults who help them. Biophilia and its benefits to well-being are exploited to best effect – the school chickens for example and their importance to the children were clearly evident.My overriding memories will be of the smiling happy faces of all the children as they arrived at school, the older children making candle melts and cakes to celebrate Santes Dwynwen day, the laughter of the younger children as they played games in the playground with staff at break time, dancing in the dining room after lunch with Anti Delyth and getting to meet Dilys and Dorris the chickens!"
10. Glan Gele (Primary, North Wales- Abergele): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
My overriding memory will be of the smiling happy faces of the children as they enjoyed their day at school and the words from one child who told me, “The best thing about my school is the teachers because they help you when you are sad!’."
11. Swn Y Don (Primary, North Wales-Colwyn Bay): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Swn Y Don
My overriding memory will be of the smiling happy faces of the children as they entered school and the words from one child who told me, “The best thing about my school is everything’!"
North
12. Bents Green (Special School, Yorkshire-Sheffield) Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
encouraged to develop their skills and interests and there are no glass ceilings to prevent this. Children love coming to school, they run in in the morning and are happy. One young man told us how it is a fantastic place to be saying “we laugh, cry and play together.” This was evident in all the interactions
observed during the visit and being playful was a particular strength. The school is really well resourced and interventions are well targeted to meet needs. Staff are responsive to the needs of individuals and children get exactly what they need from the relationships. Children are taught to understand their feelings and to develop the words to express these where possible or to express themselves using the communication tools that they have. The trauma informed approach is embedded across the school. This was reflected in the sensorily rich environment, relationships at every level and the high-quality interventions that take place. I have no hesitation in recommending the school for the TISUK Award."
13. Corrie Primary (Primary, Greater Manchester- Denton): Mentally Healthy Schools Award
Corrie Primary
14. St Wilfreds Academy (Alternative Provision, Yorkshire- Doncaster): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Delta St Wilfrid’s Academy is an all-through (KS2-4) Alternative Provision (PAN 125) that provides full and part-time education and support for children and young people who, for a variety of reasons, are unable to access mainstream curriculum education and require a bespoke package. The Academy serves a range of primary and secondary schools across Doncaster and neighbouring local authorities.
St Wilfrid’s Academy has a transient cohort, particularly from Y3-9. Doncaster Local Authority commission 35 places across KS2 & 3, to provide day 6 provision for permanently excluded pupils, and preventative, 6-weekly assessment placements, following which students are reintegrated back into school or more appropriate longer-term provision. KS4 places are directly commissioned by the local authority and mainstream schools, with bespoke curriculum pathways identified for each learner.
They are a highly inclusive school with a well-established team of staff who are experienced in supporting young people to regulate and re-engage with learning. Positive relationships are central to everything the school do and trauma informed approaches are well embedded.
15. Springwell Leeds (Special School, Yorkshire-Leeds): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Springwell Leeds is a specialist academy, established in September 2016, which serves the whole of Leeds. They aim to provide the best possible care and education that we can for children and young people with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs between the ages of 5 and 16.
Since the school opened in September 2016 they have grown from around 80 staff and 90 pupils to around 210 staff and 300 pupils. They will continue to grow across 2021-22 until they can provide for 340 students
16. Stonelow Junior School (Primary, Derbyshire-Dronfield) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
17. Springwell Learning Academy Barnsley (Special School, Yorkshire, Barnsley) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Springwell is a genuine community of parents, pupils, staff, governors and multi-agencies working together for the best possible outcomes for our children and young people.
At Springwell, unconditional positive regard is at the heart of the work they do both with the pupils and with their parents/carers. Positive relationships are the foundation of their success, enabling children and young people to thrive because of the authentic care they receive.
“Springwell is a truly inclusive academy. It supports some of the most vulnerable students in Barnsley that have not had their needs met in mainstream settings. The school, through its personalised approach and strong values linked to unconditional positive regard has become a haven to these young people. Many of these students now have good attendance and are willing participants in the learning environment. The school has a dedicated team of professionals working with students who are all well trained, have a secure understanding of trauma, its impact and what they are able to do to repair the damage for young people.”
18. Springwell Academy Spalding and Grantham (Special School, Lincolnshire- Grantham) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Springwell Alternative Academies Spalding and Grantham provide an education for children who have been excluded from mainstream schools, or who are at risk of exclusion. All of their students have special educational needs, the majority in the area of Social, Emotional and Mental Health. They aim to provide a loving and nurturing environment in which their students can experience safety, enjoyment, and personal as well as academic growth.
“Springwell Academy in Spalding provides a warm, caring and safe environment for vulnerable young people with complex needs. Many of the young people who attend the school have had extremely poor educational experiences and have a background of trauma. Staff at the school welcome these young people with open hearts and genuine delight. This enables them to build strong , trusting positive relationships quickly which in turn helps young people to ask for help and to learn to value themselves.”
“Springwell Academy in Grantham is a warm and caring school that supports the most vulnerable young people by providing an environment that is psychologically and physically safe. Young people are well understood and valued, and all adults understand the importance of having unconditional positive regard when working with the young people. Children are greeted at the beginning of the day by adults that are trusted and showing genuine delight at seeing them arrive.”
19. Highfields (Special School, Greater Manchester-Stockport): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Highfields has been on a journey of change these past 3 years, transforming from an old-style Pupil Referral Unit - primarily as a containment centre for excluded students - to a school with a specific focus on rebuilding the child-adult relationship.
We are about academic results at Highfields - we have to be. But we are equally about providing an education to a specific cohort that particularly requires a trauma-informed and attachment-friendly approach.
We have found the process of applying for the TISUK award to be affirming and challenging in equal measure - and we look forward to continuing to evolve our practice over the coming years alongside TISUK and other connected schools.
“Highfields (Sockport) has been on a journey of improvement over recent years. Due to the commitment and unwavering determination of the Head, Deputy, Governors and other key staff it has transformed practice to become a truly inclusive, nurturing environment. There have been no permanent exclusions and there are no unofficial exclusions either. Staff have been given access to a range of training and as a result are skilled in supporting all children who attend the provision. The Head is clear that attending Highfields is not as a result of losing a mainstream placement but winning a place there. Students are valued for who they are and encouraged to engage in a range of activities that reflect their interests. All staff understand the impact of trauma and poor mental health and are skilled at supporting children and each other to ensure that there is always someone to talk to and who cares about what is happening in their lives. Children who attend Highfields have a second chance at education that staff and Governors are determined will be positive and successful. Their care, commitment and determination ensures that no child is unsupported or overlooked.”
34. Springwell Alternative Academy Lincoln (Alternative Academy, Lincolnshire): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Springwell Alternative Academy Lincoln is a provision for pupils who have been permanently excluded from mainstream schools, or who are at risk of being permanently excluded. They are passionate about it being run on Nurture principles and embedded with PACE and trauma-informed and mental health-informed practice. Staff give students a fresh start every day. Grudges are not held, and relationships are rebuilt. They seek to see the best in every student, build caring, trusted relationships, and help students be the best they can be. Springwell Alternative Academy Lincoln wants to provide a safe and secure environment in which its students and staff can thrive.
"The school has clearly been on an exciting and inspiring journey. It has developed from one where a behaviourist approach dominated to one that is underpinned by positive, caring relationships based on an assumption that with the right support and care children can achieve, flourish and have the potential to live life well. The passion, commitment and skills of the adults enable children to feel safe, develop their self-worth and to develop the capacity to recognise and manage the challenges they face . The culture and ethos of the school is one of care for everyone in the community - staff , children and young people and families." TISUK Senior Consultant
East and South East
20. Priory School (Special Academy, Suffolk- Bury St Edmunds): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
" From the moment pupils leave their doorstep in the morning to the moment they return at the end of the day, they are met at every turn with warmth, care and respect. In the consistent embodiment of the school’s core values, staff create an environment in which trusting relationships flourish. Every adult is an Emotionally Available Adult (Trusted Adult).
Priory school is a calm, warm, welcoming, nurturing school where pupils feel safe, cared for and where they feel they belong. The school is forward looking and the Trust’s TIS Lead, along with the CEO and Head of School, are continually seeking ways to enhance the provision for students to ensure that they are supported to reach their full potential."
21. Clements Primary Academy (Primary, Suffolk- Haverhill)- Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Clements Primary Academy is a mainstream primary school in Haverhill, Suffolk that supports all children to achieve their potential. The needs of the children are paramount. Children and staff feel safe, respected and cared for. Relationships are at the absolute heart of the school’s core values.
22. Open Box Education (Alternative Provision, Essex- Epping): Trauma Informed Schools Award
In 2005, many years before a comprehensive understanding of the neuroscience of trauma and attachment was commonplace in education, a small group of volunteers decided to set up an educational charity based on the premise that kindness, nurture, understanding and community are vital for supporting students who have experienced trauma and exclusion from mainstream education.
16 years later, Open Box Education Centre operates as a small independent alternative provision school, providing a nurturing, caring and vibrant environment which supports KS4 students to meet their full potential, academically and as individual young adults, and prepares them to take the next step towards realising their aspirations with hope and confidence.
Over the last 16 years, our amazing staff team has supported hundreds of Year 10 and 11 students to achieve qualifications, build skills, gain confidence and self-esteem and experience acceptance and success before moving on to college, apprenticeships and employment.
They work on the principle that young people can thrive and achieve when they are able to recognise and experience positive RELATIONSHIPS, build and develop RESILIENCE and have access to a range of creative and educational RESOURCES.
The school aims to provide:
- A place that is nurturing and small with a bespoke curriculum that is designed around each student’s individual social, emotional, behavioural and learning needs.
- A place that provides an ‘educational home’ for those who may have found themselves ‘educationally homeless’ through permanent exclusion, moving home at a difficult time or unwise elective home education.
- A place for those who have experienced hurt or trauma where they can find hope, healing and wholeness, as well as finish their education in an environment that understands the impact of trauma and attachment on learning and behaviour.
"The school clearly meets the criteria for the TIS award. Open Box doesn’t stand still and consistently explores how to broaden and deepen the students’ experience. In the consistent embodiment of the school’s core values, staff create an environment in which trusting relationships flourish. Every adult is an Emotionally Available Adult and over time, students re-shape and re-frame their sense of self and their belief in what they can achieve. In the consistent embodiment of the school’s core values, and the embodiment of PACE and WINE, staff have created an environment in which children feel safe, trusting relationships flourish and children feel a true sense of belonging."
23. Springwell Mablethorpe (Alternative Provision, Linconshire-Mablethorpe) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Springwell Alternative Academy Mablethorpe is a Specialist Alternative Provision for pupils with Social, emotional and mental health difficulties. They provide education for pupils from KS1 through to KS4 (Y1-Y11). Pupils in KS4 will usually stay with us until the end of Y11 but for pupils in KS1-3 (Y1-9) we are a short stay provision. There is no set time for this process and it will depend on each individual child or young person’s needs. Regardless of their next steps they aim for pupils to leave Springwell feeling valued and successful.
24. Rivermead Routes for Reintegration (Special School, Kent) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
We are a Social, Emotional and Mental Health specialist school; a holistic and educational wrap around provision, with an experienced team, supporting secondary aged learners in accessing education and finding their way back into a learning environment.
We are all a friendly bunch who pride ourselves on offering a safe, caring and enabling environment and who are dedicated, supportive and understanding.
Learning is not our only focus; primarily, it is about improving well-being and self-worth via Protect, Relate, Regulate and Reflect. We endeavour to help learners make informed decisions that will lead them onto the path of fulfilling their potential and go onto the next phase in their learning.
By providing bespoke, personalised learning and well-being programmes that include an emphasis on regaining and building up self-esteem, self-confidence and self-worth; we enable our learners to reintegrate and transition back into their home schools.
25. Newhaven Gardens School (Secondary PRU, London) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Newhaven School is an exciting and dynamic place to learn and work where they aim for all students to gain the skills, attributes and experiences that prepare them for genuine opportunities in life. It is a place to celebrate the diversity of their students and families and they work hard to ensure they are an inclusive community.
Through the breadth of their curriculum and their focus on non-academic attributes alongside the traditional subjects taught, Newhaven School offers a supportive environment for young people to overcome the barriers to learning that have brought them here and to develop their talents so they can take full advantage of their skills and abilities.
“The school has a well embedded philosophy that understands and promotes the value of positive relationships and the development of a culture that is safe, warm and caring. Students and staff all commented on the importance of these relationships and the way in which they feel supported, listened to and cared for. Staff know the children well and are able to relate to them as they understand some of the challenges and complex issues they are facing.”
26. Castle Hill Infant and Junior School (Primary, Suffolk, Ipswich) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Castle Hill Infants and Juniors is large school that feels like a small school – they know each and every one of their children well and as a result are able to make sure that each child achieves their personal best. The school is a happy place with a curriculum designed to excite, inspire and motivate children to acquire the knowledge and skills that will successfully prepare them for their future. They are very proud of their happy and nurturing ethos, where each child is valued and supported as an individual. The children are at the heart of everything that they do.
“Castle Hill is a caring and nurturing school that places children at the heart of everything they do. The leadership of the school is passionate about the wellbeing of the children and is completely dedicated in its approach to the development of positive mental health. This single-minded determination has enabled them to positively transform not only the wellbeing of individual children but also the behaviour of children across the school. The school is a happy environment that supports learning though excellent relationships and a creative and engaging approach to learning.“ TISUK Senior Consultant
Central
27. Holte School (Secondary, Midlands- Birmingham) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Holte School care deeply for all students; for their education, and safety, their personal development and their well-being. The School value all children as individuals, nurturing their creative talents, working relentlessly to make sure that they have the highest aspirations and are motivated to flourish and succeed in everything they do.
The school believe that education is about more than just academic achievement and work to engage and enhance all aspects of their student’s lives and in doing so help them to determine their own future, with a good understanding of the world and opportunities around them.
The school is a highly inclusive school community where every individual matters. The community that they serve is blessed with a rich diversity of languages, cultures and faiths. This is a school where students of every ethnic background, boys and girls, student with disabilities or special educational needs are celebrated and thrive equally.
“Leaders and other adults are passionate and committed to supporting the mental health of the children and young people. The provision is enabling young people to experience success academically but fundamentally to repair and restore their mental health and wellbeing and develop positive self-esteem.” TISUK Senior Consultant
28. Meadow View Farm School (Special School, East Midlands, Barwell) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Meadow View Farm School caters for up to 36 boys and girls SEMH needs. The aim of the school is to work with the children to help them to learn how to manage their behaviour enabling them, where possible, to return to mainstream or area special provisions. Meadow View Farm School has a strong belief built around “readiness to learn”. The school promotes positive mental heath for all and does everything in its power to ensure that our systems and expectations do not have a detrimental impact on the children and families we are working with. 100% of the children and families we work with have experienced trauma in their lives, as part of an early life experience or as part of the journey leading to them joining the school.
“Meadow View is an inspiring school that is committed to improving not only the education but the lives of the children who attend there. Its unique and carefully balanced approach to the development of emotional well-being, high aspirations and academic outcomes enables children opportunities for success that has previously been denied them. The school knows that academic achievement is important and strives to ensure that the curriculum is exciting and engaging to support this, but it also recognises that first and foremost the children need to feel safe, trusting and emotionally well in order to access and benefit from this.” TISUK Senior Consultant
29. Wilds Lodge School (Special School, East Midlands- Empingham) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Wilds Lodge School is an independent specialist boarding and day provision for boys and girls (girls are accepted as day students only) with social, emotional and mental health difficulties aged between 5 and 19. It was established in 2007 and aims to place an equal emphasis on the educational, social and psychological development of our students. The key to the success of the school is a strong ethos, developed by a highly experienced and capable staff, and the strength of the relationships between the staff and the students.
“The school is founded on a strongly held belief that children need and are entitled to, a high quality therapeutic, academic and social environment in which to thrive. The development of these principles within the setting of Wilds Lodge is giving children who had no hope and were lost within a mainstream system, opportunities not only to engage in learning but to thrive. The adults that work in the school are highly trained empathic and caring people who interact positively with the children at all times. Children achieve well at Wilds Lodge because they are emotionally well cared for and understood.” TISUK Senior consultant
South West
30. Conquest Centre (Charity, Somerset): Trauma and Mental Health Informed Setting Award
31. The Libra School (Special School, Devon- South Molton): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
All adults are highly trained and consistently demonstrate key relational skills that protect, regulate and support reflection and repair for children. All therapeutic provision is based on the most up to date neuroscientific research and supports the development of top down as well as bottom-up regulatory pathways. Psycho education and PSHE is carefully planned to ensure that children have the skills to keep safe and healthy but also importantly so that they understand what happens when they find things tricky or dysregulate. In this way they are not shamed or left with inaccurate narratives or guilt about what has happened.
The farm offers a rich opportunity for children to benefit from being outdoors with animals and to engage within the natural environment on a regular basis. Here they can take part in risky play in a managed environment, socialise together and develop new practical skills that will last a lifetime.
The ethos and culture of the school is trauma informed, PACE is at the heart of all interactions and through attunement, validation, curiosity and empathy adults transform the educational, social and emotional experiences of children and young people. As a result, they develop skills and qualities that enable them to manage their feelings better, develop a sense of self-worth and look forward to the future with greater resilience and purpose."
32. Engage (Secondary Special, Bristol): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Engage
The centre teaches PSHE effectively both discreetly and throughout the curriculum. Mental health is taught in addition to the PSHE curriculum and psycho education is valued. It has good links with other agencies, schools and the excellent practice at Engage is sought by other schools.
The centre understands the anxiety that families face and seeks to ensure that they are well supported both while the students are attending the centre and when they return to their mainstream schools. Engage is a haven for young people that supports their needs, advocates on their behalf and restores their belief in themselves."
33. Snowdon Village (Special School, Bristol): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Snowdon Village
Snowdon Village has good links with other agencies and local schools and use these to ensure pupils have access to a range of support and development opportunities. The school is led by a dedicated and trauma aware principal who, with the support of the Academy Council, ensure both the pupils’ and staff ‘s mental health needs are supported and given priority. "
35. School for Inspiring Talents (Special School, Devon-Newton Abbot): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
The School for Inspiring Talents is an Independent therapeutic day schools in the South West. They support families and young people aged 5-16, helping those children who do not find it easy to fit into an existing mainstream educational provision for many reasons, including a range of behavioural, emotional and educational challenges including difficulties such as sensory processing disorders, attachment disorders and those having experienced Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
They provide the appropriate support, care, nurture and educational strategies that will allow these amazing young people to succeed in reaching for their dreams, to achieve the skills and talents that they will need to flourish in their lives, despite their challenges and difficulties, indeed sometimes because of them. The school fosters the dreams and talents of our students, parents, staff and the wider community so that these young people can have successful life chances.
Their innovative model directly addresses their students’ unmet needs through nurture, inspiration, motivation, support and care, to enable learning through a very different educational approach. The school has created an environment that combines both special school and alternative provision in a new and innovative way. Working in the school’s holistic way will make the most positive difference to the life chances of these young people.
36. Red Moor School (Special Provision, Cornwall- Lanivery): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Red Moor School is a specialist provision positioned in Lanvliery in mid Cornwall. The school provides full-time specialist co-education for up to 36 children and young people who have social, emotional, mental health and communication difficulties or associated challenging behaviours that challenge. Unable to achieve in a mainstream environment, our aim is to support students to excel by providing a structured, nurturing approach, with students accessing a broad, balanced, engaging and extraordinarily rich curriculum.
37. Penrice Academy (Secondary, Cornwall-St Austell) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
38. Discovery Multi Academy Trust (Primary, Devon-Plymouth) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Discovery Multi Academy Trust is made up of three primary schools- Beechwood, Oakwood and Weston Mill and a time limited nurture placement for children across Plymouth struggling with their SEMH -The Edison Centre.
Through the vision of our CEO, the Trustees and the work of the team they strive to provide all stakeholders with a Trauma Informed approach developing relationships and opening the door to communication. Each school follows a strategic vision but has developed their own strengths- biophilia at Beechwood, pupil voice at Oakwood and SEMH intervention at Weston Mill.
Discovery are keen to help children and adults in Plymouth and the local area and do this by providing CPD, hosting and leading the Plymouth Children Affected by Parental Offending Group and being part of the Trauma Informed Network in Plymouth. They are also looking forward to adding a nursery to their organisation and developing provision for children across the city and beyond.
“Discovery Mat is committed to ensuring that all children and adults are well supported, and that positive emotional and mental health is a priority for the organisation. This vision is reflected in the values and actions of all members of the Discovery Mat Community. The CEO is an inspirational , passionate and determined leader who has made positive mental health and emotional wellbeing the focus of the life of the organisation.”
39. Oaktree School (Special School, Cornwall-Truro) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Oak Tree School is a specialist provision positioned near Truro. who provide full-time specialist co-education for up to 51 children (growing to 60 this academic year) aged 7 to 16 who experience social, emotional, mental health, communication difficulties and associated challenging behaviours. The aim is to provide a structured, nurturing approach, with pupils accessing a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum to meet their significant needs.
The key to their setting is quality relationships, with staff committed to ensuring students feel not only safe, but also valued as individuals so they are in a much better place to learn. This underpins all they do as a school. Their class sizes are very small, and this allows them to support students well, with a high staff ratio, and an incredibly personalised curriculum.
“This is a school that has the individual needs of the children at the heart of its provision. Through positive relationships, rooted in the principles of PACE, and carefully targeted interventions young people grow and develop transforming their life chances and social experiences.” TISUK Senior Consultant
40. Penryn Primary Academy (Primary, Cornwall- Penryn) : Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Penryn Primary Academy is an above-average sized school in Cornwall for children from 2-11. It serves a diverse catchment and prides itself on responding to individual children’s needs, based around a Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools approach. Their aim is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to enjoy their school life and to achieve their maximum potential within a supported, vibrant, whole child centred environment. It is Penryn’s belief that working closely with families is the key to success.
“Penryn is a truly inclusive school. The school has been on a journey of transformation and cultural change. There is now an agreed and collective vision focussed on fostering positive relationships and meeting the needs of children whatever they may be. The school is calm and happy. The children all spoke warmly about the school and how much they like it including children in the ARB or those who are engaged in TIS interventions. The school has a clear understanding of trauma and the impact this has on the lives of children and is also clear about what it can do to improve this. The focus is on ensuring that children are mentally well so that they can engage in the learning environment. The school have moved from one predicated on controlling and containing behaviour to one which supports and encourages positive relationships and emotional wellbeing.” TISUK Senior Consultant
41. Connor Downs Academy (Primary, Cornwall- Gwithian): Trauma and Mental Health Informed School Award
Connor Downs Academy is situated in the village of Connor Downs and currently has 204 children on roll. Connor Downs is a very happy, inclusive and successful school. Their high standards are sustained because staff, hub councillors, parents/carers and children work together in an atmosphere of mutual trust and care, respecting the distinguishing features of the local community.
“Connor Downs is an inspirational school where children are cared for and nurtured by a team of highly trained and supportive adults. It is a school that enables children to develop within an environment that is sensorially rich, and carefully planned to support emotional well being. The value placed on the natural environment and the opportunities provided is excellent enabling children to explore the world through horticulture, animal husbandry and engaging in outdoor play. The school is calm and purposeful. Children talk with enthusiasm about the school and clearly enjoy being part of the Connor Downs family. Staff also love being part of this team and enjoy their work. The school richly deserves the Trauma Informed School Award.” TISUK Senior Consultant