Prestigious award recognises Hill West Primary School’s elite care for students and staff

The teaching and learning community at Hill West Primary School is bursting with pride after being awarded the prestigious Gold Level Certification for its trauma-informed attachment-aware practice.

This recognition from Birmingham Education Support Services reflects the Sutton Coldfield school’s unwavering commitment to supporting all children and families and prioritising the wellbeing of its own dedicated staff.

Trauma-Informed Attachment-Aware Schools (TIAAS) practice an approach that recognises the profound impact that trauma and early attachment experiences have on a child’s development. It is grounded in understanding how adversity affects brain development, emotional regulation and behaviour.

By fostering respectful relationships and responding with empathy, this approach ensures that all children – regardless of their background – feel safe, secure and able to learn effectively.

Deputy Headteacher Rebecca George said: “A trauma-informed school prioritises emotional wellbeing, nurtures resilience and supports positive mental health by embedding relational approaches across its policies and daily interactions for the benefit of all.”

The TIAAS Certification Panel commended Hill West for exceeding the Gold Level criteria, stating: “We were simply blown away by all the examples of TIAAS practice you have shared and feel that your school has gone above and beyond in your dedication and commitment.

“Your school environment, resources, policies and documentation and, most importantly, the feedback from pupils, parents, carers, staff and professionals working with your school was exceptional.”

“Our school has embedded key TIAAS principles into daily practice to provide an inclusive environment where all pupils thrive. The certification panel particularly praised our use of relational practices, our carefully designed learning spaces and the strong partnerships we have built with families and external professionals.”

During the accreditation process, parents said that Hill West is a safe environment which supports all children and young people to thrive. Children said they know there are many trusted adults in school who keep them safe and will listen when pupils wish to discuss their emotions.

“As part of our accreditation, we have access to a range of TIAAS audit tools that will support us in continuing to refine and enhance our approach. We also look forward to working collaboratively with other schools to share best practices and further the impact of trauma-informed education.

“Hill West Primary School remains dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive learning environment where every child can flourish. This Gold Level Certification is a reflection of our ongoing mission to ensure that relational learning, leading and teaching remains at the core of our ethos.”

Hill West Primary School is part of the highly-respected Arthur Terry Learning Partnership.