Attachment Awareness

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Attachment Awareness at Orleans Park

At Orleans Park School, we are proud to be a fully attachment-aware and trauma-informed school, placing relationships, wellbeing and belonging at the heart of everything we do.

AACA logo PLATINUM (1)Our work is grounded in research and supported by programmes such as the Attachment Aware Schools Award (AASA), which helps schools develop safe, inclusive and emotionally intelligent environments where all young people can thrive. This whole-school approach is proven to improve attendance, reduce exclusions and strengthen relationships between staff, students and families.

Our journey began with a clear ambition: to ensure every student feels a sense of belonging and is able to succeed.

We recognised that traditional behaviourist approaches were not effective for all students. Instead, we chose to embed a relational, trauma-informed approach that focuses on understanding behaviour, rather than simply responding to it.

As a result of this work, suspensions have reduced significantly and there have been no permanent exclusions since 2019. Attendance is now among the highest in the borough and nationally, and all staff are trained in attachment awareness and restorative approaches.

We are proud to have received a commendation in the Summer 2025 Regional ARC Timpson Awards, along with recognition as a Centre of Excellence for attachment-aware practice.

What is Attachment Awareness?

Attachment awareness is based on the understanding that early relationships shape how young people feel, behave and learn.

Children who feel safe, understood and valued are more able to:

  • Learn effectively
  • Build positive relationships
  • Regulate their emotions
  • Conversely, trauma or disrupted attachment can impact behaviour, wellbeing and attendance

At Orleans Park, we recognise that “When a person has been hurt in a relationship, they can only be healed in a relationship.”

This belief underpins all our work.

How Does Attachment Awareness Shape Our Practice?

Behaviour Policy

Our Behaviour Policy is built on relationships, empathy and understanding rather than punishment. Therefore we:

  • Place safety, trust and belonging at the centre of classroom practice
  • Use restorative conversations to repair relationships
  • Focus on the underlying causes of behaviour, not just the behaviour itself
  • Use emotion coaching to support emotional regulation

Behaviour Policy

Restorative conversations are a key tool. They help students to reflect on their actions, understand the impact on others, take responsibility and repair harm. 

We emphasise that te restorative approaches focus on “harm done, responsibility and problem-solving” rather than blame.

Attendance Policy

Our approach to attendance is also rooted in relationships and understanding. Therefore we:

  • Work in partnership with families
  • Identify and remove barriers to attendance early
  • Recognise that emotional wellbeing and attendance are closely linked
  • Provide targeted support for students experiencing anxiety or emotionally related school avoidance

Attendance Policy

Strong relationships with families are central to improving attendance and ensuring every student can access education consistently .

Leadership and Influence

Our Deputy Headteacher, Adam Gladstone (DSL and Mental Health Lead), is currently:

  • Co-chair of the Platinum Board for AASA
  • A regular speaker at regional and national conferences
  • A contributor to system-wide improvement in attachment-aware practice

Through this work, Orleans Park supports other schools, shares best practice, and contributes to the wider mission of embedding attachment awareness across education systems.

Impact on Students

Our attachment-aware approach has led to:

  • Improved behaviour and reduced suspensions
  • Stronger relationships between students and staff
  • Increased attendance and engagement
  • Greater emotional resilience and wellbeing

This reflects our belief that every child can thrive when given the right support.

Supporting Families: Becoming Attachment Aware at Home

We believe that strong partnerships with families are essential. When school and home work together, children benefit from consistency, security and understanding.

Here are some practical ways families can support attachment-aware approaches at home:

Focus on Connection First

Before correcting behaviour, prioritise connection by listening without judgement, acknowledging feelings, and showing empathy.

Be Curious, Not Critical

Instead of asking “Why did you do that?”, try a more restorative approach by asking, “What happened?” and “How were you feeling?” to encourage reflection and understanding.

Support Emotional Regulation

Help children learn to recognize and manage their emotions by saying things like, “I can see you’re feeling frustrated,” and offering calm, supportive guidance instead of rushing to consequences.

Repair Relationships

After conflict, talk through what happened, encourage reflection, and focus on how to “make things right.”

Be Consistent and Predictable

Clear routines and expectations help children feel safe and secure.

 

Working Together

At Orleans Park School, attachment awareness is not a programme, it is a whole-school culture. We are committed to supporting every student to feel safe, valued, and understood, and to working in partnership with families.

We also aim to share best practice locally and nationally while continuing to develop as a centre of excellence. Together, we can ensure that every young person feels they belong, and is able to succeed.

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