Beacon Hill Academy: Trauma-Informed Approach

At Flourish, we believe every young person deserves to feel safe, respected and supported at school. But in today’s digital world, toxic content and harmful influencers are reaching students faster than ever - and their impact is being felt in classrooms across the country.

That’s why we’re proud to be working with education providers like Beacon Hill Academy, a secondary school in the West Midlands that’s taking steps to proactively tackle these issues head-on. The school recently made headlines, as students and staff spoke to BBC news about the impact misogyny is having on their everyday lives.

The Challenge: Toxic Narratives Taking Root

Schools are facing a rising tide of misogyny (generally defined as prejudice against women), online radicalisation and gender-based harm. Influencers like the self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate are being quoted in class. Girls report feeling unsafe or silenced, and boys are being fed narratives that harm their mental health and relationships with others. Teachers say they’re seeing more sexist behaviour, but don’t always feel equipped to address it.

Recent data paints a stark picture:

One in five pupils were persistently absent in 2023/24 (DfE)
Ofsted reports rising incidents of gender-based violence and harassment
Staff are asking for more support with complex, emotionally charged situations

These aren’t just headlines - they’re real challenges, happening in real schools.

Beacon Hill’s Response: Act Early, Support Everyone

Beacon Hill students and staff recently spoke to the BBC about the pressure they’re under - from peer expectations to harmful online content.

The school partnered with Flourish to deliver our Attachment & Trauma (A&T) training, giving all staff the tools to:

Recognise early warning signs
Understand the link between behaviour and trauma
Respond with empathy and confidence
Create a culture of emotional safety

Shifting the Culture, Not Just the Behaviour

Beacon Hill Academy has developed a clear, whole-school approach to safeguarding. Their strategy includes:

A firm, zero-tolerance stance on hate speech
A proactive safeguarding team, working closely with staff across the school
Ongoing work to promote student safety, respect and inclusion

Following the release of Netflix’s Adolescence, which resonated strongly with many parents, teachers and young people, the school has also stepped up its engagement with parents and carers - offering sessions and clear communication to help families navigate the complex issues raised by the drama.

Beacon Hill’s approach is making a difference. Staff now have a clearer framework to handle complex issues, backed by a zero-tolerance stance on hate speech and a commitment to early intervention.

One teacher told the BBC that he's "extremely worried" about how easily young people can access online spaces where hate is normalised.

But with strong leadership, whole-school training, and a focus on wellbeing, Beacon Hill is navigating those challenges with clarity and compassion.

Training That Goes Beyond the Classroom

Flourish’s Attachment & Trauma programme isn’t just about safeguarding - it’s about building whole-school capacity. It’s designed specifically for educational settings - giving staff the skills to support students who may be processing trauma, experiencing emotional distress, or echoing harmful views they've picked up online.

Apart from the A&T programme, Flourish also provides access to:

Click Learning – our eLearning platform for staff
Wellbeing Bundle – supporting staff mental health and resilience
Parenting Bundle – helping families nurture healthy attitudes at home

Building a Movement of Trauma-Informed Schools

Beacon Hill is one of over 300 schools across the UK working with Flourish to become Trauma-Informed and Attachment Aware. It’s vital that schools are prepared to support their students and staff in a complex, changing world.

And as calls grow louder for more support in schools - both for students and for the teachers supporting them - we’re here to help make that possible.