Developing a Trauma Responsive School

Launching in Spring 2026 is a brand new 2-day course on 21st April and 28th April, from Norfolk Virtual School. Building on the foundation of theory, research and approaches shared in our whole school staff training 'Becoming a trauma and attachment aware practitioner', we are launching our enhanced training offer of 'Developing a Trauma Responsive School'.

The purpose of the course is designed to provide delegates with enhanced understanding to better recognise and respond to the individual needs of pupils who have experienced trauma or attachment issues. To apply the knowledge and skills gained through accessing this training to foster a culture of inclusion and belonging and to provide meaningful support to staff in embedding trauma responsive practice across your whole school or setting.

The course will offer an opportunity for delegates to reflect on the lived experience of children and young people supported by Virtual Reality Headsets. We will apply this experience in developing our understanding of theory across seven key areas: safety, connection, identity, belonging, autonomy, resilience and future planning. There will be opportunities for delegates to reflect on current practice at a pupil, staff and policy level. With the outcome of the course equipping leaders with tools and actions to embed theory into practice in developing a trauma responsive school or setting.

Please note: A prerequisite of accessing this course is your school or setting having accessed our whole school training offer.

Spaces will be limited to two staff members attending from any one setting and there is an obligation to attend both days of training.

In preparation for this course and to ensure delegates are fully prepared about the Virtual Reality content, we require all attendees to sign a delegate agreement. It outlines what will be covered in each video and provides us with a school contact should we become concerned about your wellbeing as a result of accessing this course so we are able to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our delegates.

There are two pre-course task including a brief review of content from our 'Becoming a trauma and attachment aware practitioner' training and full instructions and rationale on implementing a pupil survey.

Cancellation Policy

This Professional Development is currently fully subsided by the Virtual School; there are no charges to delegates. If you need to cancel, we kindly ask that you contact us 5 working days before the course start date. This allows us to offer your space to other potential delegates.

The Virtual School reserves the right to cancel or postpone a training course if there are fewer than 6 delegates for an online event or fewer than 10 for an in-person event. If we must cancel, we will notify delegates 5 working days for virtual and 10 working days for in person courses, before the scheduled start date. A member of the Virtual School team will contact delegates who have signed up to discuss alternative dates or CPD options

This training session from Norfolk Virtual School is for Norfolk based professionals working to support our children and young people. Any bookings made by colleagues outside Norfolk where not supporting our cohorts will be contacted and cancelled where appropriate