We are delighted to announce that Limehurst has won a national award for secondary schools because of its work in being attachment-aware and trauma-informed.  The school had previously been presented with the regional award (Midlands) in July.  Alex Mauger, Assistant Headteacher, was presented with the award at the Attachment Research Community (ARC) national conference in Birmingham on 10^th November.

Commenting on the award, Donna Chapman, Head of the Leicestershire Virtual School, said:

"The winning setting have been on an incredible journey over the years to transform their school to a trauma informed community.  They are open minded, willing to learn and have gone through many changes to adapt and grow as a school in order to support the needs of their learners, as well as developing a trauma informed community.  They have engaged with a wide range of partnerships to support their needs and think outside the box to alleviate any barriers or challenges that quite often prevent schools from engaging on this journey.  Not only have they developed their own practice, but they have also begun to shape and enhance the practice of the local community, schools and projects, sharing their knowledge and continuing to adapt.

Being a county school with an inner-city catchment, that comes with many challenges and statistics, has not prevented them in advocating and aspiring for a learning environment that meets the needs of all pupils through a trauma informed lens.  They hope to continue their journey and become a learning hub.  Their whole school culture allows for innovative thinking and change, to embrace support and ideas from others and being Brave to implement new initiatives to support their students.

The Virtual School have seen a clear willingness and ethos not to suspend children in care and collaborative work to ensure our young people are successful."