Gayton Primary Academy becomes Prem Aware
Gayton Primary Academy has received The Smallest Things Prem Aware award for the steps they have taken to support the educational and social developmental needs of children born prematurely.
On average, there will be two to three children in every typical classroom who were born prematurely (before 37 weeks). While premature birth does not automatically mean children will have additional educational needs, it does increase the chances they will require extra support.
Lisa Harward Bird, a parent at Gayton Primary Academy, helped to bring about the changes to support pupils born prematurely.
“Being a mum of two boys, who were both premature, I am always worried about their development and whether they will require any additional educational needs. When I found out about The Smallest Things Charity and that on average, two to three children in every classroom is born prematurely I wanted to speak up. I shared the Prem Aware School Award details with my boys’ school and was so delighted when they contacted me to say they had completed the training and steps to achieve the award. I can only thank Gayton Primary Academy. This is such a positive step for the school and teaching teams and will really ease the anxieties, parents of premature babies face.”
Gayton Primary Academy met all three of the charity's Prem Aware requirements to gain the award: undertaking the free PRISM e-learning training for staff; adapting their admission and registration forms to ask parents specifically about premature birth history, and requesting feedback from parents on any extra support provided.
“The training was very useful and will impact our everyday practice. We are now equipped to support those born prematurely with the strategies suggested. As a whole staff we were surprised to learn that maths is an area where children find the most challenging. We will use our new knowledge to support the children in their lifelong learning.”
Becoming a Prem Aware School teaching staff at Gayton Primary will now have a better understanding of the lasting effects of premature birth, be able to identify issues early and provide the practical and emotional support children may need on their education journey.
“This is a great achievement for families and children born prematurely and we are delighted to award Gayton Primary Academy with our Prem Aware Award. Our own parent survey revealed that nine out of 10 parents of children born prematurely felt there was a need for more awareness and understanding in schools. Having trained teachers who know what to look out for and how to help, will make a big difference to children in the classroom. We hope this will inspire other schools in the area and right across the UK to become Prem Aware too.”