ATTACHMENT AWARENESS

The Boxing Academy is an attachment-aware school.

When young people have had adverse childhood experiences - abuse, neglect or any other trauma - it impedes both their emotional and physiological development as well as their brain capacity. The effects of trauma can be felt by experiencing it directly or by witnessing it with others. This inhibits their ability to cope with even the most simple requirements of the education system. All our staff are trained in attachment-awareness, trauma-informed practice and emotion coaching techniques and we use this approach to ensure that no young people are left behind.

The Key Adult: Pod Leaders

Children with attachment difficulties need a key adult with whom they can build a trusting relationship. Our model uses the boxing coaches - pod leaders - to provide this support and establish a trusting relationship. Secure attachment relationships correlate strongly with higher academic attainment, better self-regulation and social competence, helping them lay the foundation for success in their next stages of education and adult lives.

Effective Practice: Boxing Training

We use daily Boxing training to provide a non-stigmatising, skill-based intervention which successfully improves the wellbeing, academic success, resilience and life opportunities for children. It uses targeted physical and mental activities to teach core life skills, focussing on improving executive functions. Sessions such as pad work and bag work are similar to smart gym circuit training and they teach:

• Attention and focus
• Inner state control
• Working memory
• Relaxation and de-stress techniques
• Teamwork and communication

Our students report that after being in school for six months they have improved focus, increased confidence and better teamworking skills.

Our teachers report that they observe better concentration, less impulsive responses and a calmer classroom environment.

The parents report that they experience a decrease in stress at home and an increase in levels of responsibility amongst their children.