Staff and pupil experiences after one year of an
attachment aware schools programme.
Research conducted by University of Sheffield DEdCPsy students:
Michelle Longden and Roxanne Njopa-Kaba
(Emily Allsopp, Ann-Marie Faughey and Helen Rowe)
Purpose
To evaluate the impact of the ‘Attachment Aware School
Programme’ provided by The Virtual School
Research questions:
• What are the experiences of staff in a school that has
undergone attachment awareness training?
• What are the experiences of children in a school that has
undergone attachment awareness training?
Strategy
What we did…
• Focus groups with students
• Individual interviews with staff
Why…
• To add further depth to the qualitative data already
collected by The Virtual School
Outcomes
What we found…
Children's experiences were positive, as was their view of
the staff
Adults are more knowledgeable on attachment and are
facilitating change in the school
The school has always been ‘nurturing’ - now it has a name,
practice is developing further.
Outcomes: Children (Lons)
Emergent themes identified:
• Positive emotions
• Importance of friendship and play
• Empathy (and strategies to help
others)
• Enjoy play in a variety of areas
• Calmness
• Awareness of boundaries
• Positive relationships with a range of
staff
• Awareness of own feelings
Outcomes: Children
4 key themes identified:
1. Positive Environment
2. Positive Relationships
3. Empathy and Emotional Literacy
4. Positive Feelings and Emotions
Outcomes: Children’s quotes
‘I’d take him to the nurture room…it’s quiet and there’s lots of teddies. Then he’d be
happy.’
‘He’d like my friends…he’d cuddle them’
‘The teachers are the mums of the classes.’
‘I’d take him to the head teacher cos she keeps an eye on us.’
‘If he came here… he’d be happy…cos he has new children.’
‘If you’re worried ...you can go to the Magic Room... it will make you fell better.’
Outcomes: Adults (Lons)
Emergent themes identified:
• School as family
•Increased awareness of feelings
• Language used by staff
• Increased understanding of
behaviours
• Inclusion
• Listening to child’s voice
• Happy children
• Positive change
Outcomes: Adults
4 key themes identified:
1. Listening to the Child’s Voice
2. A Strong Sense of Family & Community
3. Meeting of Holistic Needs
4. Journey of Change
Outcomes: Adults’ quotes
‘Listening to the child’s voice has been key’
‘It’s like one big family, everyone feels like they’ve got someone to go to’
‘If the child isn’t ready… we need to help them with the emotional side before we do
anything”, (we) want children to feel valued and confident’
‘We all work very hard for the children because we care so much about them’
‘Attachment is just something we do. It was always part of us….Something we've
done under different names and guises and have just named it now...Helped staff to
understand ‘why’ they’re doing what they’re doing’
What this means….
• Ethos of care and community apparent - not new
• Nurture provision has enriched and empowered staff
• Mutual respect between children and adults
• Clear sense of belonging and empathy for peers
Where next…?