North Fawdon Primary School, in Newcastle, has successfully earned the title of ‘Prem Aware School’, recognising their efforts to provide support for children who were born prematurely.

The premature baby charity, The Smallest Things, created the ‘Prem Aware Award’ to raise awareness of the potential development issues that can follow premature birth, and to help teachers to support these children through their learning.

In order to be recognised as ‘Prem Aware’, schools need to meet the following criteria:

• Educate staff using the PRISM training programme provided by The Smallest Things
• Encourage parents to share their child’s birth record during the admissions process
• Ask for feedback from parents to direct the learning support provided

While not all children born prematurely will have additional needs at school, being ‘Prem Aware’ ensures that teachers have the knowledge to support these children throughout their schooling.

Janine Collins, Deputy Head Teacher at North Fawdon Primary School, said: “The PRISM awareness training raised our understanding of preterm birth, and the risk factors it can bring. It has enabled us to extend our knowledge and ensure we gain vital information about preterm birth history.”

SPUC Comment

A SPUC spokesperson said: “Congratulations to North Fawdon Primary School on winning this worthwhile award!

“It is fantastic to see schools making use of training resources that help teachers to understand the value and potential of every human life, no matter how small and vulnerable.

“As a result of their encouraging efforts to help children who were born prematurely, these teachers and parents may also be interested in SPUC’s own training resource, Tiny Feet, an exciting programme helping children to engage with life before birth.”

SPUC’s Tiny Feet Teaching Resource

SPUC’s Tiny Feet Resource (https://www.tiny-feet.org/) focuses on life before birth and takes children on a journey through the first nine months of life.

The programme is designed to meet the National Curriculum, and can also be used by parents who would like the opportunity to teach their children about the beauty and development of life before birth.

If you would like more information regarding SPUC’s Tiny Feet programme, please contact SPUC Education Officer Eden Linton: eden@spucscotland.org