Upton-by-Chester High School is committed to ensuring that our school develops a Trauma and Mental Health Informed Approach and to ensure our learners develop positive mental health and resilience, enabling them to fully engage in life and learning.

There is a growing body of research and understanding of the impact of Childhood Adversity on long term mental and physical health and the protective factors that lessen the potential impact.

It is our aim to maximise the protective factors at our school by creating an environment of safety that has strong, positive and supportive relationships at its heart. Teaching and associated staff at Upton By Chester High School will provide an environment of both physical and psychological safety and have the skills to respond to those who have been impacted by traumatic stress.

The school fully understands and supports the impact that connection with a trusted, emotionally available adult has on a child and seek to maximise this for those in our care who are identified as requiring additional support.

We use the PACE approach which focuses on building trusting relationships, emotional connections, containment and a sense of security.