World Prematurity Day – 17th November

Nov. 1, 2022

World Prematurity Day is celebrated each year on 17th November, throughout the month and specifically on this day. The charity The Smallest Things highlight the realities of neonatal intensive care and use the opportunity to shine a light on an otherwise hidden world and a journey that lasts long after parents bring their baby home from hospital.

Prem Aware Guidance Pack

There is a lot of support for schools in how they can support children born preterm. As 2 or 3 children in every average sized primary school class may have been born preterm, being Prem Aware is important for all teachers. The Smallest Things Prem Aware School Guidance Pack is a pack that helps teachers understand the importance of being Prem Aware and the ways in which schools can support pupils and their families on their education journey.

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Become a Prem Aware School

Schools can also sign up to become a Prem Aware School, supporting the needs and long-term-outcomes of pupils born preterm. Becoming a Prem Aware school improves the awareness and understanding of the lasting effects preterm birth can have on education and learning and enables teachers to have the skills and knowledge to best support children in their class who were born preterm.

Here at Langley First School, we take pride in listening to our parents and working hand in hand. One of our parents approached us about the (Prem Aware) award and has been a great help and resource for us to gain this recognition. As SENCo I have been overwhelmed at just how many of our staff were keen to access the training and it is with great pride that as a whole school we feel more knowledgeable and aware on how to support our children who were born prematurely.

Claire March
SENCo at Langley First School

Additional learning resources

The PRISM study team funded by the charity Action Medical Research, have produced five learning resources that have been developed to improve teachers’ knowledge and confidence in supporting prematurely born children in the classroom. They include:

  • What is preterm birth?
  • Educational outcomes following preterm birth
  • Cognitive and motor development following preterm birth
  • Behavioural, social, and emotional outcomes following preterm birth
  • How can education professionals support preterm children?