he Department of Education has been working on developing their knowledge and skills in the area of inclusion, and in particular managing signs of distress in their pupils. Over the last year, further to the generous financial support initially provided by Playtech, the Department of Education has continued to invest in the services of UK-based internationally renowned organisation Studio 3 and have been developing their use of the low arousal approach pioneered by their director Professor Andrew McDonnell. The Department of Education has worked particularly closely with education advisor Gareth Morewood on the LASER (Low Arousal Supports Educational Resilience) framework (https://www.studio3.org/training-and-coaching/education/laser-course-details), and have found this approach and ethos a very supportive tool to further their aspirations for their schools. The emphasis of low arousal is on minimising distress in children and young people through better understanding of stress and coping (in both children and their supporting adults) and is one of the key mechanisms by which The Department of Education is working to promote person-centred, trauma-informed, inclusive environments.

As part of his work with the Department of Education over the last year, Gareth has delivered training to and worked with schools, parents and other professionals working with children, and has also met with multi-agency professionals. He has liaised closely with the Department of Education’s Advisory Team in planning his input and consulted with school leadership teams in order to shape the approach at a strategic level. As well as Gareth’s expertise, the Department of Education has extended Studio 3’s input further through delivery of its BILD certified 3-day training on Managing Signs of Distress, with the goal of developing this further in the future, on a “train-the-trainer” basis, to provide a self-sustaining model of school-to-school support in Gibraltar. Studio 3’s input has been very positively received and has helped to further guide schools through working with children whose ability to fully engage with learning is adversely affected by their social-emotional needs.

Gareth has worked particularly closely with St Martin’s on supporting the leadership of the school, including the newly introduced tier of Provision Leaders, providing training and reflective opportunities for all staff. He has done this alongside working directly with young people and families. Gareth's unique experiences in advising governments on inclusive legislation, directly supporting young people and families and using his acclaimed Saturation Model as a tool for systemic school improvement has provided the perfect balance of support and challenge to enable St Martin’s staff to reflect on their practice, identify areas which they have been keen to develop further, and empower staff to be in a position to maintain this trajectory going forward. Gareth will continue to support the Department of Education and its staff over the course of this academic year, and will be available for further discussions and conversations, as required, as they continue to collaborate with a single aim, of improving outcomes for all young people in Gibraltar, irrespective of additional needs or different starts in life.

The Minister for Education, the Hon John Cortes, said: “This is an excellent initiative which enables and empowers staff and parents to provide the best possible learning experience to our pupils. This investment in training will have a lasting effect, as schools and staff continue in their professional development and become self-sufficient in rolling out their skills and best-practice across Gibraltar’s schools and educational professionals.”

LASER INSET Training with Bayside and College staff

LASER INSET Training with Bayside and College staff

Gareth Morewood Discussions with Senior Leaders

LASER Training Family Session

Meeting Minister and Department of Education