Sheffield Hallam University

This is an an online event that will be conducted via Zoom on 24th November from 4pm to 5.30pm. Please sign up at the Eventbrite link below, and participation details will be provided.

Trauma can be described as the response to a frightening or uncontrollable event (Van der Kolk, 2003) where an individual is overwhelmed and can no longer cope (Masiero et al., 2020). It is estimated that prior to the pandemic two out of three children have experienced one traumatic event before the age of 17 (Overstreet & Chafouleas, 2016). Throughout 2020 children’s exposure to traumatic experiences may have been compounded by the lack of access to community, family, and friends (Hidalgo et al. 2020): all key relationships to a young person.

Schools are placed in a unique position to be able to mitigate against the effects of trauma with the availability of a supportive environment and effective supportive relationships. 

In this online session, we will share recent research and information on the impact of a trauma informed approaches in school and what a trauma informed school might look and feel like for both staff and pupils. We will look at what progress has been made so far across the South Yorkshire region and hear from primary and secondary school colleagues as well as local authority and alternative provision partners about the work they have been doing. We will hear about the impact this approach has had on our children and young people, the impact on the school workforce as well as their local and regional ambitions for the future. 

Through presentations and discussion, we will consider how we can support teachers and senior leaders in their trauma informed aspirations. We hope that all those who are interested to find out more about being a trauma informed school, or who are well on their way, will join us to share their experiences and join the discussion.

Speakers include:

Dr Sally Pearse, Strategic Lead for Early Years, South Yorkshire Futures, Sheffield institute of Education -  ‘The case for trauma informed practice in schools’

Sue O’Brien, Strategic Lead, South Yorkshire Futures, Sheffield institute of Education  - ‘Towards a trauma informed South Yorkshire’

Scott Burnside, Director of Inclusion, Tapton School Academy Trust and Executive Headteacher, Chaucer School - ‘The Sheffield Pledge; how Sheffield schools are working together to become trauma informed’

Vicky Birkwood, Service Manager for Inclusion, Doncaster Council's Learning and Opportunities: Children & Young People (LOCYP) - "Doncaster’s vison for a trauma informed school workforce "

Elliot Townsend, Hive Teacher at Woodthorpe Community Primary School - "Trauma Informed Approaches from a Primary School Perspective"

Samantha Nuttall, More Than Education (Independent SEMH), Doncaster  - "Trauma Informed Approaches in Alternative Provision"