Trauma Perspective Practice

Broomfield Primary School have adopted an Essex approach to understanding behaviour and supporting emotional well-being, named Trauma Perspective Practice.

A school that is trauma perceptive realises the widespread impact of trauma and understands potential paths for recovery; recognises the signs and symptoms of trauma in clients, families, staff and others involved with the system; and responds by fully integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures and practices.

As a school that embraces Trauma Perspective Practice, we display the qualities of:

Trust

I believe other people will respond in a way that is supportive

Openness

I am able to share my feelings and experiences openly with those I work with

Support

This organisation supports me personally

Relatedness 

I feel connected to others in a way that enables me to feel part of a team

Respect

People appreciate the unique contribution I make to this school

Zones of Regulation

Broomfield Primary School has adopted The Zones of Regulation Curriculum as a whole school approach to developing our awareness of emotions and our emotional regulation skills.

This approach was designed by Leah Kuypers, licensed occupational therapist, to help children gain skills in the area of self-regulation.  Self-regulation can go by many names, such as self-control, self-management and impulse control.  It is defined as the best state of alertness of both the body and emotions for the specific situation.  For example, when a student plays on the playground or in a competitive game, it is beneficial to have a high state of alertness.  However, the same state would not be appropriate in the library.  The curriculum is designed to help children recognise when they are in different zones as well as learn how to use strategies to change or stay in the zone they are in.  In addition to addressing self-regulation, the students will gain an increased vocabulary of emotional terms, skills in reading other people's facial expressions, perspective about how others see and react to their behaviour, insight into events that trigger their behaviour, calming and alerting strategies and problem solving skills.

It is important to note that everyone experiences all of the zones - the Red and Yellow zones are not the "bad" or "naughty" zones.  All the zones are expected at one time or another.

Mental Health Support