Be Kind

Be Kind – Relationships

RELATIONSHIPS

At Kirkleatham Hall School we believe that without investment in relationships all our efforts will be fruitless. Relationships give us the tools/keys to work with each other and support and develop the whole student. The key to building strong relationships is investment of time and energy! 

At Kirkleatham Hall School we believe that Relationships are key to everything we do! All our relationships begin with the LOVE we feel for our school and all those in our care. 

Developing Relationships using P.A.C.E

Playful, Accepting, Curious, Empathic

PACE was developed by Dr Dan Hughes (a clinical psychologist specialising in childhood trauma) more than 20 years ago as a central part of attachment-focused family therapy. It was created with the aim of supporting adults to build safe, trusting and meaningful relationships with children and young people who have experienced trauma. The approach focuses on building trusting relationships, emotional connections, containment of emotions and a sense of security. 

PACE is a way of thinking, feeling, communicating and behaving that aims to make the child feel safe. It is done by communicating the four elements of PACE together flexibly, not as a step by step process.

Using PACE helps adults to slow down their reactions, stay calm and tune into what the child is experiencing in the moment. It supports us to gain a better understanding of what the child is feeling. In tricky moments it allows us to stay emotionally regulated and guide the child through their heightened emotions, thoughts and behaviours. In turn, PACE helps children and young people to feel more connected to and understood by important adults in their life and ultimately, to slow down their own responses.

We provide extensive training for staff on behaviour this includes annual Team Teach training and previously Thrive training. We have 6 members of staff that have completed THRIVE practitioner training.

Our relationships with each other - We provide good models of behaviour at all times for our pupils, Remembering some may have less helpful relationship models in life outside of school. We are a support to one another as well as reflective colleagues offering reflection in the form of celebration and ideas.