The Liverpool HEARTS Project Team, funded by Liverpool City Council’s Virtual School and in partnership with Hope School, has won a gold Pearson National Teaching Award in the Impact Through Partnership category. The team received the award for their work in introducing trauma and attachment-informed practices across Liverpool’s schools to support vulnerable children. Hope School is already rated “outstanding” by Ofsted for supporting children with complex trauma histories and attachment disruptions, and has been sharing its expertise with ten other schools since the project began in 2021. The pilot has since expanded to 32 schools, with more set to take part in the future.
The HEARTS Project is a partnership between Virtual School Liverpool, Hope School, Changing Minds Child and Family Services UK, and The University of Chester. HEARTS stands for Holistic thinking, Empowering the school community, Aspirations for every pupil, Relational focus, Trust and safety, and Shared purpose. The Impact Through Partnership category recognises schools that have worked together to have an impact on children and staff through joint projects that provide enrichment opportunities.
Carolyn Lawler, Virtual School headteacher and project lead said: “This is a tremendous achievement as it is a national recognition for the excellent work being developed across the city through the HEARTS Project for the benefit of children across Liverpool.” Maxine O’Neill, Headteacher of Hope School added: “The HEARTS project underpins a psychologically informed way of working with not just children but all stakeholders within schools. To be recognised as the Gold Pearson Award winner will allow this incredible work to have a better platform and hopefully increase research into the long-term impact of this approach.”
Cllr Lila Bennett, Cabinet Member for Employment, Educational Attainment and Skills said: “This award acknowledges the tremendous progress that the Liverpool HEARTS Project has made since 2021 and I am delighted that this has been nationally recognised. Working in this way is a true investment in our children’s futures and the positive engagement from schools across the city proves how much it is valued. The project shows the profound difference that can be made when the right people start working together with passion and drive. Liverpool HEARTS demonstrates the power of collaboration.”
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