You will have the option to attend 2 workshops on the day. There may be limited numbers for some workshops. In the event that a workshop becomes oversubscribed, we will assign workshops on a first come, first served basis whilst also considering the number of attendees from each setting, to provide fair access.
Workshop 1: Sonja Evason (Your Space Therapy) - The importance of self-awareness
Looking at the true meaning of self-awareness, how self-aware are you and your staff? How can self-awareness impact growth and affect relationships? Where was our self-awareness nurtured and how has this developed, making us who we are today? How can we work on this to initiate change to ourselves and to our school?
Workshop 2: Lads like us
Further time with 'Lads like us' where they will delve deeper into their lived experiences and the importance of a trauma informed relational approach and professional curiosity. They will cover a wide range of subjects including: child exploitation, childhood sexual abuse, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), addiction, mental health, suicide, prevention, attachment theory, county lines, parenting from a trauma perspective, toxic masculinity and trauma. The main focus will be on trauma informed practice, professional curiosity and the life changing difference it can make.
Workshop 3: Judith Richens and Nicola Moore - Building resilient classrooms
‘Be the change you want to see in the world’ Mahatma Gandhi
This workshop explores the trauma informed approach to behaviour in operation at Marlborough Road Academy. It investigates what happens when adults and children are conscious of the culture and behavioural patterns that aid and impede learning and actively determine to replace roles built on hierarchy and power with strong relationships. It is well documented that stress and trauma have grave effects on health, learning, social-emotional development and brain development. At Marlborough Road we focus on building a community based on a culture of inclusion and connection that deliberately
models and teaches self-regulation, compassion and healthy relationships, social-emotional skills and managing conflict. At its core is developing behaviour that is intrinsically motivated, that contributes positively to the whole group: Doing the right thing, because it is the right thing to do!
Workshop 4: Mauwli Amesu - Staff wellbeing self-care
The session will look at those who may be at risk of vicarious stress/carer fatigue due to the nature of their care for others. How do we make sure we put our own proverbial ‘Oxygen Mask’ on first before we try to apply it to others as individual professionals? The session is more thought provoking about how we all make sure we can negotiate ‘guilt free’ self care in such a busy environment that we work in. The session does not tell or lecture anyone what to do as an individual or organisation. It’s simply putting on the agenda to discuss this fact - the best gift we can give to anyone we care for, look after or work with, is a healthy us – mentally, physically and emotionally!
Workshop 5: Andy Smith - Spectrum Gaming - A neurodiversity affirming approach to managing trauma
There are currently over 140,000 young people who are persistently absent from school. Recent research shows that in as many as 94.3% of cases, school attendance problems were underpinned by significant emotional distress and that 92.1% of young people who experience school distress are described as Neurodivergent. This workshop plans to explore difficulties attending school through the lenses of neurodiversity and trauma. The workshop will be delivered by an autistic adult who runs an online community for autistic young people. 70% of the community struggle to attend school and many experience school based trauma and autistic burnout.
Workshop 6: Joe Georgiou and the voice of the Salford Youth Council - Salford Educational Psychology Service - Relational Approaches to Inclusion Policy
This session will look at the Relational Approaches to Inclusion Policy, developed by Salford City Educational Psychology Service. We will discuss the theory and practical application of relational approaches, as well as discussing how this document could be used to support relational changes in your setting. Salford Youth Council will be sharing their views as these played a vital part with informing the policy. This is a great opportunity to hear what young people feel about current behaviour policies and what they hope for the future.
Workshop 7: Rachelle Broadist - Primary Inclusion Team - Supporting children with attachment needs in schools
Children with attachment needs often underachieve academically and can present as unfocussed and withdrawn, or display distressed behaviours that are challenging to manage in mainstream classrooms. This session will aim to give staff an introduction to Attachment Play as a key strategy, why it works, games and activities and how to monitor the impact.
In the questions below, please rate your preferences for the workshops in order from 1 to 4. Due to group size, we may have to cap the numbers of certain workshops, but wherever possible we will endeavour to allocate workshops based on your preferences.
