St. Mirin’s Primary School

The training we received through Margaret was invaluable to our school. We have a very close relationship with Margaret and her team and have been very fortunate to be able to receive training particularly in ACE’s. All of the staff in the school took part in this training and it has helped staff think about not only their own experiences but also the experiences that some of the children in their classes may have been through. This training has formed part of our initiative to developing a holistic approach to Health and Wellbeing in the school, ensuring that the needs of the children are met and that staff have received appropriate and valuable professional development and I very much hope that further training will be accessed to support the children in the school. Below are some of the comments made by class teachers in the school in relation to the training.

- Mrs. A Dunbar - Headteacher of St. Mirins Primary School

St. Mirin’s Primary School staff who completed training in ACE's and Trauma informed practice were asked the following question:

Do you feel this training was relevant and how has this training impacted on your current practice?

• Yes, somewhat. It has encouraged me not to have a knee jerk reaction to certain challenging behaviours but to consider the reasons behind the behaviour and take a different approach to dealing with situations.

• Yes I really benefited from the ACE’s training and it has informed me of the various experiences children may face and how it will impact their engagement in class.

• Yes. I now try to ensure I have conversations with children who may have shown certain behaviours to try and find out the cause of this so I can best support them.

• Yes, I feel that this training was relevant and has prompted me to participate in further professional reading. In terms of informing current practice, I would say that it has made me understand that more children in my class are actually affected by ACE’s than I perhaps initially thought which allows me to pre-empt potentially ‘awkward’ situations and plan activities armed with more insight into the children I teach.

• It is relevant as it brings to forefront of mind all the the ways children can experience trauma in life which we have to be always thinking of.

• I took part in my own CLPD training and took a course on ACES. I think this is so beneficial especially in the current climate. The training at school was very valuable.

• Yes, I feel this training was relevant. The training made me take time to reflect on my own day to day practise and make some changes.

• The ACES training was relevant to practice and very much beneficial. I think it is a reminder to be mindful of the bigger picture by accounting for individual circumstances and to have a restorative approach towards practice.

• It was very useful as it helped me to be mindful of pupil's individual circumstances and backgrounds and how these might affect their behaviour and engagement.

• Yes, it informs how you deal with situations that arise and helps you understand how/why certain behaviours may arise.

• Yes, this training helped to support by understanding of these areas. I feel I have a better understanding of how to deal with situations that arise.

• Yes, I feel it was relevant and I keep it at forefront of my mind when considering children’s behaviour and possible reasons behind.

• Yes, It was good to have the chance within our own establishment to discuss our children and how we can use the training best in our school.

• Yes. Understanding how ACE’s impact on development/readiness to learn is important when considering interventions to support children.

• Yes. I think this training is essential to have the learners at the heart of everything. We can only expect them to learn and grow when we have strong relationships and understand their needs - which is what this training provides. SLT are also always on hand to provide any extra information and share new information which I think is important and really helps.