Working Towards Becoming a Prem Aware School

At Brookfield Primary Academy, we are proud to be working towards becoming a Prem Aware School, in partnership with The Smallest Things – Premature Baby Charity. This important initiative reflects our commitment to creating a nurturing, inclusive, and informed school environment where every child is supported to thrive.

On average, two children in every UK classroom were born prematurely. Many of these children will have spent time in neonatal care and may face challenges with learning, sensory processing, emotional regulation, or physical development — challenges that are not always immediately visible but can have a lasting impact on their school experience.

As part of our journey to becoming Prem Aware, we are taking active steps to better understand and support these children. One key change we have introduced is the inclusion of birth history questions on our admissions application form. This allows us to gather important information early on, so we can begin offering the right support from day one and work in partnership with families.

With training and resources from The Smallest Things, our staff are building their understanding of how prematurity can affect development and learning. This helps us to create a school environment that is responsive, compassionate, and equipped to meet the needs of every child.

By becoming a Prem Aware School, we are raising awareness, reducing stigma, and ensuring that all children — including those born too soon — feel seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are.