A SCHOOL in Thelwall has been given an award for its work with children with ADHD.

Chaigeley School has been awarded the prestigious ADHD Friendly School award by the ADHD Foundation for its work with children with ADHD this academic year. Chaigeley is proudly committed to supporting all children within the school, whatever their particular needs, and is a school that places inclusion at the centre of their ethos and culture, say organisers.

The school has considered all of the main barriers to learning for children with ADHD and has sought to address them in their everyday practice. This ranges from increasing physical activity across the curriculum to the use of tactile resources in every classroom.

Paul Lambert, principal from Chaigeley School said, “We are very proud to receive this award for our school. We work extremely hard to ensure that all our pupils needs are met and we provide the best possible environment for our pupils to thrive in.

"This award recognised the hard work put in by the staff at Chaigeley School”

Arron Hutchinson, the education training director of the ADHD Foundation said, “It has been a pleasure to work with Chaigeley School. All of the staff have gone above and beyond to make their lessons and their school environment enjoyable, supportive and safe spaces for their students with ADHD, and families of those students.

"They truly deserve this award which recognises all of the hard work they are doing.”

Increasing movement and engagement was a key feature of the submission for the award with a whole-school approach this. Pupils are encouraged to use the grounds to help self-regulate be that walking around the school field or using one of the outside gym equipment areas. Pupils often use our inside gym area with support from staff. Class groups often implement movement breaks in-between lessons or before transitions to help support regulation and concentration levels – this includes timetabled slots in the sensory circuit room. Children have also had their need for movement met within the classroom too, by having access to various tactile resources.

Chaigeley School has also considered the wellbeing of children with ADHD and provided opportunities for children to learn coping strategies for when they are feeling overwhelmed. All classrooms have designated retreat spaces which can be used when children need them.

The school has also done an incredible job of celebrating neurodiversity, the foundation says, through their displays and assemblies, which showcase and promote the positives of ADHD and other conditions, using successful neurodiverse people as role-models for the children.

Parents and carers of children with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions have also been supported well across the school. Pupils have support through a variety of sources during the day – through classroom TA’s, keyworkers and timetabled sessions with the Juniper Therapy Team.

The ADHD Foundation, based in Liverpool, works in partnership with individuals, families, doctors, teachers and other agencies to improving emotional well-being, educational attainment, behaviour and life chances through better understanding and self-management of ADHD, ASD and related learning difficulties.