'Fantastic' recognition for schools supporting pupils born prematurely

Abbey School, Crags Community School, Hilltop School, Kelford School and The Willows School – all part of Nexus Multi Academy Trust – have received the award, developed by The Smallest Things premature baby charity, which recognises schools that have taken steps to improve awareness and understanding of how premature birth can affect children’s learning and development.

In an average classroom, two to three children may have been born prematurely.

While not all will require additional support, research shows that children born early can face increased challenges compared to their peers.

The Prem Aware Award encourages schools to build staff knowledge and confidence through evidence-based training.

The scheme was also commended in the 2024 House of Lords Preterm Birth Inquiry Report, highlighting its importance in improving outcomes for children.

Across the five Rotherham schools, staff have undertaken training to better understand the potential long-term impact of prematurity, which can include slower processing speeds, memory difficulties, attention challenges and struggles with mathematics.

Schools are also strengthening communication with families, including asking parents and carers about birth history when children join, helping to ensure support can be tailored from the outset.

Alice Williams, assistant headteacher at Hilltop School in Maltby, said: “This award recognises something schools see every day in our classrooms – that every child’s starting point is different.

“At Hilltop, being truly child-centred means understanding each pupil as an individual and working together as a team to meet their needs with care and empathy.

“By deepening our understanding of prematurity, we can remove barriers earlier, support pupils to grow in independence and ensure every child is equipped to be the very best they can be.”

Lisa Suter, executive regional director at Nexus Multi Academy Trust, said: “We are incredibly proud of our Rotherham schools for achieving the Prem Aware Award.

“This recognition reflects the care, dedication and commitment of staff to truly understanding the needs of every pupil.

“It is fantastic to see this work being recognised, and we look forward to building on this success across the trust.”