A WIRRAL school has been presented with a prestigious award for their work with young people with ADHD.

The Observatory School in Bidston received the ADHD Friendly School award from the ADHD Foundation after "placing inclusion at the centre of their ethos and culture". 

The school's everyday practice saw a variety of improvements made from increasing physical activity across the curriculum to the teaching of self-calming strategies to help students to self-regulate.

Increasing movement and engagement was a key feature of the submission for the award with pupils having access to frequent movement breaks throughout the day to give their brains a break and return to their work feeling refreshed and ready to learn.

Students have access to a sensory trim trail and a climbing rig which they incorporate well into their physical activities.

Accessible morning sports session are also made available to the students as they arrive at school, enabling them to start the day off by letting off some steam.

The students at The Observatory have also had their need for movement met within the classroom too, by using wobble chairs, fidget resources and wobble boards.

Classrooms also have ‘Regulation Charts’ which can be used to help students check-in with their emotions and put necessary calming-strategies in place if needed. Such strategies include deep-breathing exercises, meditation and yoga.

Parents and carers of children with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions have also been supported well across the school. The school hosts support groups where parents and carers can get support from staff and share advice and support strategies with other parents.

Amy Scott, Personal Faculty Lead and Year 8 Social Pathway Teacher from The Observatory said: “We are utterly thrilled to receive this award. At the Observatory School, we recognise that every child should have the opportunity to reach their full potential and should not see their neurodiversity as a barrier.

"We are proud of the work that both staff and students have put in to obtain this award and are excited to continue this journey”

Arron Hutchinson, the Education Training Director of the ADHD Foundation, said: “It has been fantastic to work with The Observatory School. The staff have worked hard to make their lessons and their school environment enjoyable, supportive and safe spaces for their students with ADHD and I’m glad that they are getting the recognition for this that they deserve.”

The ADHD Foundation, based in Liverpool, works in partnership with individuals, families, doctors, teachers and other agencies to improving emotional well-being, educational attainment, behaviour and life chances through better understanding and self-management of ADHD, ASD and related learning difficulties.