Here at Herbert Thompson Primary School we are a trauma-sensitive 

school in which all children feel safe and supported. Addressing the impact

of life experiences and trauma on learning and emotional/mental health and

well-being is fundamental to everything we do.

 

We understand that some of our children and families may have had traumatic or adverse childhood experiences and we know that these can have a negative impact upon a child’s learning, behaviour and their relationships in school. It is our intention, here at Herbert Thompson Primary, to lessen the impact of ACEs wherever possible through carefully planned interventions, family support and signposting to other agencies that can help.

 

The term Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) is used to describe a wide range of stressful or traumatic experiences that children may be exposed to whilst growing up. 

 

ACEs range from experiences that directly harm a child (such as suffering physical, verbal or sexual abuse, and physical or emotional neglect) to those that affect the environment in which a child grows up (including parental separation, domestic violence, mental illness, alcohol abuse, drug use or prison).

 

The ACE animation below tells the story of a young boy growing up, and how his experience with ACEs could affect his life. We hope that you find this animation informative and useful.  

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Overview of ACEs

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are stressful events occurring in childhood including

• domestic violence

• parental abandonment through separation or divorce

• a parent with a mental health condition

• being the victim of abuse (physical, sexual and/or emotional)

• being the victim of neglect (physical and emotional)

• a member of the household being in prison

• growing up in a household in which there are adults experiencing alcohol and drug use problems.

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If you feel your child and /or family may have been affected by any of the ACE’s, and you would like some advice or support, then please speak, in confidence to a member of staff here at Herbert Thompson Primary.