Donnington Wood Church of England Junior School is proud to announce that it has been named the Regional Winner of the prestigious ARC Alex Timpson Attachment and Trauma Aware Award for Primary Schools. This award recognises schools that demonstrate outstanding attachment and trauma-informed practice, enabling children to feel safe, valued and able to flourish.
Attachment theory explains how children develop their understanding of themselves and the world through relationships. Experiences such as trauma, abuse, neglect, separation and bereavement can significantly affect a child’s sense of safety and ability to learn. The ARC Awards celebrate schools that successfully rebuild those foundations through nurturing relationships and compassionate practice.
At Donnington Wood CE Junior School, this recognition reflects years of dedication to creating a community where every child is known, valued and supported. Guided by our Christian vision and our core values of Hope, Friendship and Perseverance, we have worked relentlessly to ensure that every pupil can flourish, regardless of their starting point or the challenges they may face.
Our journey towards becoming an attachment and trauma-aware school began with a simple belief: every child deserves the very best. Through whole-school training, trauma-informed practice and a culture built upon understanding behaviour through curiosity rather than judgement, we have created a safe and nurturing environment where children feel secure enough to learn, grow and thrive.
This work was recognised in our recent SIAMS inspection, which described the school as:
“A safe haven for those who face challenges in their lives and learning.”
For us, however, this award is not simply about what happens within our school walls. It is about a community coming together to ensure children and families receive the support they need.
Over the past year, we have expanded our support for families by bringing services, expertise and opportunities directly into our community. We know that schools cannot do this work alone, and we are incredibly grateful to the partners who walk alongside us on this journey.
Most importantly, we celebrate the incredible team at Donnington Wood CE Junior School. Every day, they demonstrate extraordinary commitment, compassion and determination. They refuse to give up on children, relentlessly seeking solutions, building relationships and creating opportunities that allow pupils to succeed.
This award belongs to all of us; for the parents, pupils and families.
We celebrate the small steps, the big breakthroughs and the life-changing moments that happen every day. We celebrate the child who attends school with confidence for the first time, the family who feels listened to and supported, and the pupil who discovers hope in their future.
Being named Regional ARC Award Winners reinforces our belief that relationships matter, that community matters and that every child can flourish when surrounded by people who believe in them.
As we continue this journey, we remain committed to sharing our learning, supporting others and ensuring that Donnington Wood remains a place where hope grows, friendships flourish, perseverance is nurtured and every child is empowered to achieve their full potential.
Together, we are not simply educating children; we are helping an entire community to flourish.