Let's get you ready to lead your school!
If you are here, then you are the designated TSA Lead at your school.
It can feel overwhelming to take on a new approach and help embed it, but we have done everything we can to make the process as simple and intuitive as possible for you. We are here to support you every step of the way, just email your TSA Support Lead at support@tpctherapy.co.uk
Below you will find three bite-size sections to help you move through the stages:
Stage 1
Here are the quick links to the main starting areas on the Learning Platform. Do work through the whole platform as these are just the key highlights.
Click here to go to the beginning of the Leaders Learning Platform and navigate through each page clicking 'next'
1. Read the Handbook
It's time to get a clear understanding of the process and what is involved. Download the Handbook to get started.
2. Watch the set up video
After reading the Handbook, this short video will explain how to set things up and brings everything together.
3. Gather your baseline data
Next you need to gather your baseline data. We need your existing behaviour policy, photos of classrooms as they are now and completed baseline assessment forms. This link will take you to the Learning Platform which will guide you through. Just click 'next' to work your way through.
4. Upload your baseline evidence to your folder
This short video explains how to use your evidence folder and where to find the assessment tools.
Your baseline evidence and all other evidence should be added here as you move through the award process.
5. Download the data gathering spreadsheet
This spreadsheet will help you keep on top of the data you need to gather throughout the process so that you have everything ready for submission.
The spreadsheet is in the downloads section
6. Make a plan for your school
Once you are familiar with the process and have gathered and added the baseline data to your folder, it is time to roll out the course, PHSE lessons and daily practices.
First, you need to make a plan to share with your school.
Stage 2
Stage 2 is all about rolling out the approach and beginning to transform mindsets, practice and overall culture in the school.
1. How to Roll Out Stage 2
This short video will talk you through what you need to do at this stage.
Senior leaders should watch the module content before rolling out the Therapeutic Teaching Course to all staff. You can then begin the daily practices, Happiness Project and lower year lesson plans.
2. Staff Induction Webinar
This one hour introduction webinar will explain the award process to your team and help get everybody excited and up to date with what is to come.
The video has a group starter activity so is perfect for inset days or twilight sessions but can also be viewed by individuals too.
3. Roll out the Course
It is time for you staff team to begin the 6 module training course! How you deliver the course is up to you but make sure everyone is doing each module at the same time so that you are learning as a whole school.
4. Roll out the Daily Practices and Happiness Project
The Happiness Project is a series of 10 online lessons for Year 6 classes. You might choose to deliver them in blocks or spread them out through the year alongside the daily wellbeing practices. Gather feedback, photographs, observations and self-reflection forms as you go for your final evidence folder.
5. Adapt your Policies
Policies and procedures are a tool to help change culture and practices and evidence trauma informed practice.
The TSA Lead and SLT team will need to review and adapt the current policies.
6. Adapt your Environments
Adapting your environments to ensure they are therapeutic, calm, trauma informed and attachment aware is one of the best parts of the process.
7. Embed the Approach
An important part of the course is to embed therapeutic language into your practice following our therapeutic teaching approach. The course modules are the foundation and these work alongside the Handbook, Learning Platform and any additional workshops you might choose to invest in. Evidence all the shifts and changes that you see in our observation and self-reflection documents.
8. Common Questions and Answers
Read through our list of frequently asked questions here but don't forget that your Therapeutic School Award Support Lead is always available to guide, steer and answer any questions, however big or small. Drop us a line on support@tpctherapy.co.uk - we always love hearing from you.
Stage 3
The final part of the award process, but not the end of the journey! Now is the time to gather your evidence so that we can assess everything and award Therapeutic School status.
1. Gather your evidence for submission
Now is the time to bring all your existing evidence together and carry out the final whole school assessments. We'll be looking for photographs, policy adaptations, observation and self-reflection forms, feedback and impact notes and all additional evidence to be uploaded to your TSA folder, ready for assessment.
3. Common Questions and Answers
Read through our list of frequently asked questions here but don't forget that your Therapeutic School Award Support Lead is always available to guide, steer and answer any questions, however big or small. Drop us a line on support@tpctherapy.co.uk - we always love hearing from you!
4. Resubmission
To maintain your Therapeutic School status, you can re-apply for accreditation every two years. It's a simple process that requires evidence of your ongoing work, updates and changes to environment and a record of the continual delivery of wellbeing sessions and daily practices.
