Page 18 - link magazine

Haydonleigh recognises the needs of young carers
preschool Young carers at Haydonleigh

gymnastics Primary School are being
recognised, valued and supported
after the school received a Young
where an early Carers Award in November.
The award scheme run by Swindon
start makes a world Carers Centre with help from the
Big Lottery Fund helps staff and
of difference! pupils understand the needs of
children who look after someone
in their family who has an illness,
disability or mental health problem,
when normally an adult would be
expected to undertake this role.
Amanda Bass, Haydonleigh’s
young carer lead and safeguarding
and pastoral manager, said: “School
can be a quite difficult time for
a young person who has taken
on care responsibilities as they
may be worried or stressed about
leaving the person they care for at
home. This might mean they miss Amanda Bass with youngsters holding the Young Carers Award
homework, suffer from tiredness or
are late for school. At times they support them with additional the best provision in place. This
activities, counselling and academic has included open discussion in
might feel it’s hard to explain and support including strategies to do assemblies to raise awareness
that there is no one else to share
the burden. homework. of caring and also specific staff
daily classes for the under 5’s “At Haydonleigh we are sensitive “The advice of Fiona Prinzi at training.”
to the needs of the children who Swindon Young Carers has been For more about young carers:
01793 822262 have caring responsibilities and invaluable to ensure we have www.swindoncarers.org.uk
www.esprit-gymnastics.co.uk we are quick to identify and School’s multiple Modeshift travel awards

Debbie Yockney and travel ambassadors and their haul of awards
Haydonleigh Primary School has collecting the Gold Award, the
achieved the gold standard in Regional Stars Award for Pupil
the Modeshift Sustainable travel Involvement and the 2015 Stars
awards, one of only 35 schools out award for School of the Region.
of 11,000 to have achieved this In November, Debbie also
nationally. attended the 2015 Modeshift Travel
The school’s Travel Ambassadors Convention held in Birmingham,
from Years 5 and 6 are organised by and won the Modeshift Individual
Debbie Yockney and Paula Robathan Contribution Award, a fitting
to promote healthier travel through recognition for 17 years of work
presentations and assemblies, promoting safe travel to school.
organising a weekly walking bus, Headteacher Frances Billenge
taking part in the annual Big Pedal, paid tribute to the award winning
organising competitions, cycle, achievements of her staff. “I
balance bike and scooter training am very proud of the work that
sessions, and inviting outside the school does to promote and
DANCE CLASSES FOR EVERYONE agencies like the police to assist encourage sustainable travel to
with security marking.
school,” she said. “I knew ahead of
In October, Ms Yockney took the ceremony that both the school
Classes for: | Adults 16+ | Young People 11-16 years | Children 18 months – 10 years three youngsters to the Southern and Debbie had been nominated
Regional Awards in London where for awards. But to have swept the
SWINDON DANCE Regent Circus, Swindon, SN1 1QF. they made a presentation to an board is amazing; I’m really thrilled
T: 01793 601700 W: www.swindondance.org.uk
audience of 100 people before for Debbie and her team.”
18 swindonlink.com n January 2016