Alex Timpson ARC Award
At St Chad's, we believe that children learn best when they feel safe, valued and understood. Positive relationships are at the heart of everything we do, shaping the way we support children, work alongside families and create a culture where everyone feels they belong.
In 2026, we were delighted to be nominated for the Attachment Research Community (ARC) Award in recognition of our commitment to relational, attachment-aware practice. We were incredibly proud to be named the Early Years East Midlands Winner. This award recognises the caring, inclusive culture that our staff have worked hard to build and our shared commitment to ensuring that every child receives the understanding, support and encouragement they need to succeed.
We were especially honoured to be nominated by Graeme Ferguson, Headteacher of the Derby Virtual School. His nomination recognised the impact of our relational approach and the difference it makes to the children and families in our community. His nomination statement can be read below.
"St Chad’s CofE Nursery and Infant School is a shining example of attachment-aware and trauma-informed practice in action. At the heart of the school is a deeply embedded culture of nurture, belonging and unconditional positive regard. Every child is known, valued and understood as an individual, with relationships forming the foundation for all learning.
Serving a richly diverse inner-city community, St Chad’s recognises that many children face social, emotional and economic challenges. The school responds not with deficit thinking, but with compassion, high expectations and carefully structured support. Staff are highly attuned to children’s emotional needs, using consistent routines, relational approaches and restorative conversations to help pupils feel safe and regulated. Classrooms are calm, welcoming environments where children learn that their feelings matter and that trusted adults will help them make sense of difficult experiences.
Pastoral care is proactive and woven through daily practice. Strong partnerships with families ensure that support extends beyond the classroom, building trust and shared understanding. Early identification of need, targeted interventions and a whole-school commitment to mental health mean that vulnerable pupils are not only supported, but empowered to thrive.
St Chad’s lives out the principles of attachment and trauma-informed education with authenticity and integrity. The “Behaviour Policy A Relationship-Based Approach to Inclusion” is the best example I have seen. The impact is evident in pupils’ confidence, resilience and joy in learning. The school exemplifies the spirit of the Alex Timpson Attachment and Trauma Awards: transforming lives through relational practice, unwavering care and belief in every child’s potential."
Further infomation about the award, and the work of ARC, can be found here.