Doncaster schools strengthen support for students born prematurely

Four schools in Doncaster – Coppice School, Heatherwood School, North Ridge School and Pennine View School, all part of Nexus Multi Academy Trust – have been awarded the Prem Aware Award in recognition of their work to support students born prematurely.

The award, developed by The Smallest Things premature baby charity, recognises schools that are raising awareness of prematurity and its potential impact on learning.Around one in 12 children are born prematurely.

While those born extremely early are more likely to need additional support, evidence shows that even children born just a few weeks early may experience challenges in the classroom.

The Prem Aware Award supports schools to better understand these needs through training and resources, including the ‘Preterm Birth Information for Educational Professionals’ programme developed by leading researchers.

All of the Nexus schools recognised in Doncaster support children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), encompassing a wide range of learning disabilities and health needs. This makes the Prem Aware Award particularly significant, ensuring staff have the knowledge and understanding to meet the needs of students who may already face additional challenges.

Across the four Nexus schools in Doncaster, staff have developed a stronger understanding of how prematurity can affect cognitive development, including processing speed, memory, attention and mathematical skills.The schools are also working closely with families to ensure that relevant information is shared early, enabling tailored support for students from the start of their education.While these schools have achieved the award, Nexus Multi Academy Trust continues to work with its remaining schools to secure Prem Aware accreditation in the future.

Carl Cousins, Headteacher at Pennine View School, said:“This recognition reflects the importance of understanding each student’s background and experiences. The Prem Aware training has strengthened our approach and helps ensure that students born prematurely receive the support they need to succeed.”

Lisa Suter, Executive Regional Director at Nexus Multi Academy Trust, said:“We are delighted that our Doncaster schools have been recognised with the Prem Aware Award. This is a wonderful achievement for the staff teams, who have worked hard to strengthen their understanding and support for students born prematurely. It is a significant step forward, and we are proud to see this progress across our schools.”