We understand the challenges that have faced our pupils who have social, emotional and mental health needs, and that traditional interventions used by many specialist and mainstream schools do not work. We do not sign up to one model of intervention for young people with these needs, rather we will develop our own model which is supported by:

• An understanding of trauma and the need for schools to be trauma sensitive (Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative’s, Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Harvard Law School)

• Appreciation of working with children affected by trauma (as advised by the work of the state government in Victoria, Australia)
• A commitment to being a compassionate school (Washington State Initiative)