Attachment awareness in schools is aimed at helping schools
to develop an ethos and school community which is attachment aware and able to
provide a nurturing environment and positive relationships to promote secure
attachments.
By developing an
understanding of attachment theory, practitioners are able to apply this
knowledge to their own practice for the benefit of all pupils; in particular
those with attachment difficulties and other vulnerable learners.
This can help to
improve attainment, behaviour and overall wellbeing for both pupils and staff.
It certainly does not seek to turn teachers into therapists, but rather to
emphasise the importance of understanding the emotional and learning needs of
their pupils, which is what we suggest good teaching is about.
One of the most
important factors when recognising and responding to a child with attachment
issues is to understand how that child is feeling. Recent advances in
neuroscience have confirmed Bowlby’s theory, demonstrating the connections
between emotion, social functioning and the priority of attachment.
While the school
itself cannot replace an insecure attachment with the primary care-giver it can
offer a secure base, a place of safety and attachment – like relationships with
trusted adults who can help the young person through the day. Moreover, recent
research suggests that approximately one third of children have an insecure
attachment with at least one care - giver, and one in four have experienced a
trauma event which has resulted in behavioural/ emotional disturbance. This
means, in effect, that an attachment-aware approach to teaching which
recognises the importance of emotions will benefit all members of the class.
Indeed, there is growing evidence that such approaches also reduce stress among
teaching staff; in turn reducing absenteeism, improving continuity of learning
experience, and ultimately overall school attainment.
The Derbyshire
Virtual School has created an exciting training opportunity to develop all of
our understanding around promoting secure attachments in schools, whilst also
recognising the behaviours and issues that can arise from (poor) attachment
difficulties in early life: thus enabling all of us to create even safer and
more nurturing learning environments for children in care and all vulnerable
learners.
Please contact the virtualschool@derbyshire.gov.ukif you need any further information.
Safe Spaces
Reducing barriers to learning.
Ensuring that schools and school environments are safe spaces for children to learn and thrive in is incredibly important. This section contains some tools, resources and information to help ensure that your school has the necessary spaces available.
Attachment Aware Schools Programme
Attachment awareness in schools is aimed at helping schools to develop an ethos and school community which is attachment aware and able to provide a nurturing environment and positive relationships to promote secure attachments. By developing an understanding of attachment theory, pract...Read more
Quick Questions
These questions (in no particular order) are designed to get you thinking about the current provision and knowledge of safe spaces available in your school. Do your pupils understand what a 'safe space' is?Do your pupils feel safe in school?Do your pupils have a ...Read more
The Nurture Group Network
The Nurture Group Network promotes the development of nurture groups. These are small groups of children, who need short-focused support to help address issues connected to social, emotional and behavioural difficulties. They ensure the continuing qual...Read more