Dedridge Primary School in Livingston Receives ‘ADHD Friendly’ Award
Dedridge Primary School in Livingston has recently been honoured with the prestigious ADHD Friendly School Award from the ADHD Foundation for their exceptional support of children with ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions. The school’s dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all students has been recognised through this esteemed award.
The staff at Dedridge Primary School have gone above and beyond to cater to the specific needs of children with ADHD. They have actively worked towards addressing the main barriers to learning faced by these children in their day-to-day practices. One key aspect highlighted in their award submission was the emphasis placed on understanding and supporting ADHD through comprehensive training for the entire staff.
A standout feature of the school’s efforts was the focus on accommodating the movement needs of young students with ADHD. The school’s initiative includes daily movement opportunities and Movement packs provided to teachers, containing resources to facilitate movement-based learning in every classroom. This structured approach to incorporating movement breaks into the daily timetable, alongside opportunities for self-calming and reflection, has greatly benefitted the students.
Moreover, Dedridge Primary School established an Inclusion Group comprising pupil champions representing a variety of learning differences. This group encourages open discussions about the school experience among students and aims to educate peers on the diversity of minds within the school community through planned assemblies. The school’s commitment to celebrating neurodiversity is evident in their displays, which highlight the positive aspects of ADHD and other conditions.
The support extended to parents and carers of children with ADHD and other neurodivergent conditions through the ADHD Support Group at the school has also been commendable. Mrs. Krievs, the Support for Learning Teacher, shared, “Our inclusion group has been instrumental in driving positive changes within the school and developing practices to support neurodiversity.”
Rebecca Nicholls, a pupil and Inclusion Ambassador at Dedridge Primary School, expressed her appreciation for the school’s efforts, stating, “I like that we are helping people with neurodiversity because I have ADHD and it makes people like me feel like we matter.” Colin Foley, Training Director of the ADHD Foundation, commended Dedridge School for providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where the voices of children with ADHD are both heard and valued.
The ADHD Foundation, based in Liverpool, collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance emotional well-being, educational attainment, behaviour, and life chances for individuals with ADHD, Autism, and related learning difficulties. The recognition bestowed upon Dedridge Primary School underscores their commitment to supporting neurodiverse students and fostering a welcoming educational environment.
In conclusion, Dedridge Primary School’s receipt of the ‘ADHD Friendly’ School Award reflects their dedication to inclusivity, support, and understanding for children with neurodivergent conditions. The school’s proactive initiatives and emphasis on celebrating neurodiversity set a commendable example for educational institutions striving to create an environment where all students feel valued and supported.