Let's get you ready to lead your school!
If you are here, then you are the designated TSA Lead at your school :) Hello!
We know, it can feel overwhelming to take on a new approach, and lead on embedding it, so 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 1, 2 and 3.
Stage 1
Here are the quick links to the main starting areas on the Learning Platform. Make sure you read 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 introduction webinar
After reading the Handbook, this webinar will welcome you to the award, explore the approach and 'why' in more detail and explain the process briefly. It is a good idea for you to watch this first but then share it with staff as their introduction to the award.
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. Leading the award
Here are some quick tips to help you get the best out of the process and lead the award with confidence.
7. Outcomes you are aiming to achieve
Although we gather data to evidence impact, the biggest outcomes we want to see are real, tangible things that directly impact children's lived experiences. Here is a list of the outcomes we measure your submission against.
8. Common question and answers
Here is a list of common questions people ask us when they are setting things up. Reading these will help you understand the process more and will help you to roll things out.
Stage 2
Stage 2 is all about rolling out the approach and beginning to transform mindsets, practice and overall culture in the school.
Please read all of the information in stage two to make sure you don't miss anything. The things linked below are just the highlights. We have a section on getting parents involved, guidance on how to complete assessment forms and more here
1. How to Roll Out Stage 2
Stage two is all about rolling it all out!
Gathering data is only a small part of this process with the main focus being on embedding the approach and transforming mindsets, practice and the overall culture in the school. Here's what you need to know...
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 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.
6. Embed the wellbeing curriculum
The wellbeing curriculum includes the PHSE lessons for the children, daily practices, wellbeing activities and ideas for lunchtimes and play. The wellbeing curriculum looks at where you can make tangible changes to meet the 5 areas of focus.
5. Adapting 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.
7. Adapt your lunchtime offer
Lunchtime can be the hardest part of the day for many children. Using the resources available on the Therapeutic School Membership platform and in the handbook, make a plan for how you are going to adapt your offer to ensure it is trauma informed and inclusive.
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.
8. Enhance your play offer
Play is declining and it is causing a significant negative impact on children’s development and SEMH! Using the resources in the handbook and on the Therapeutic School Membership platform to help you enhance your play offer. You will find mini CPD sessions, best practice videos and resources to help you.
9. Collect your evidence check list
Here is a quick check list of the things you should be collecting to evidence your work in stage 2 for the award.
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.
2. Checklist for submission
Here is a quick check list with a reminder of where to find things.
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.
