SPARKing Connection: Creating Neuroaffirming Social Environments in Schools

This training explores how everyday interactions, relationships and environments can nurture a genuine sense of connection and belonging for all pupils. The session introduces the SPARK framework as a way of exploring what helps all pupils, including those who are neurodivergent, to feel safe, understood and able to participate as themselves. The session will then draw on this framework to explore everyday strategies that nurture connection, offering a mix of familiar and new ideas to help staff reflect on the approaches that would work for their pupils and settings. It will also show how SPARK can be used as a tool for whole-school reflection, classroom audits and individual assessments in collaboration with pupils, parents and carers.