Liverpool’s HEARTS Project receives prestigious teaching award for its support of vulnerable children

Over the weekend, an innovative education initiative in Liverpool aimed at aiding some of the city’s most vulnerable children received high acclaim by securing a teaching “Oscar”.

Led and financially supported by Liverpool City Council’s Virtual School in collaboration with Hope School, the Liverpool HEARTS Project Team earned the prestigious gold Pearson National Teaching Award.

Their commendable efforts centered on introducing trauma- and attachment-informed practices across Liverpool’s educational institutions.

Competing in the Impact Through Partnership category, the team’s previous recognition as a silver recipient in June propelled them into contention for the gold award, ultimately announced during Saturday’s grand final event.

The Impact through Partnership category celebrates schools that have significantly influenced children and staff through joint projects, providing enriching opportunities.

The HEARTS Project symbolizes a wider collaboration between Virtual School Liverpool, Hope School, Changing Minds Child and Family Services UK, and The University of Chester.

The acronym ‘HEARTS’ embodies its core values: Holistic thinking, Empowering the school community, Aspirations for every pupil, Relational focus, Trust and safety, and Shared purpose.

Hope School has been a pioneering force since 2014, dedicated to supporting children with complex trauma histories and attachment disruptions, earning an “outstanding” rating from Ofsted.

Since 2021, the school has been actively sharing its expertise with other Liverpool schools through the HEARTS project, steered and designed by Virtual School Liverpool.

Originating as a pilot program involving ten schools, the initiative has now expanded to encompass 32 schools, with noticeable improvements in inclusion and mental health observed among participating institutions.

Plans are underway for the project’s continued expansion to more schools annually.

The ten pioneering pilot schools included: The Belvedere Academy, St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, Windsor Primary School, Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Primary School, Anfield Road Primary School, Gwladys Street Primary School, Broad Square Primary School, Mab Lane Primary School, The Academy of St Nicholas, and The Academy of St Francis of Assisi.

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