We are working hard to become a dementia friendly school. We want dementia awareness to become part of school life, so that we name and face dementia together. We want to be a school which supports people affected by dementia – both someone with a diagnosis and their families/carers.

We want:

All our school community – pupils, staff and families affected by dementia to be welcomed, understood, respected and supported.

We are working with The Diocese of Lichfield to take action on dementia through forming a three- point Action Plan for the academic year. This authorises the school to use the ‘Becoming Dementia Friendly School Logo’ for the academic year.

Becoming a dementia friendly school does not mean that we have everything right, but it does mean that we are taking action and we are willing to learn and change together. 

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive conditions that affect the brain. The Dementia Research UK website explains: “Our brains are amazing. They work hard to store memories. They help us to make sense of the world. They control everything we think, feel, say and do. Our brains make us who we are. Like all parts of the body, brains sometimes become ill. There are illnesses that stop a person's brain from working properly. When a person has one of these illnesses, their brain starts to have problems doing all the jobs it has to do. The person may start to have problems with remembering, thinking, speaking or seeing what or where things are. They might say or do things that seem strange to us. They may find it more difficult to do everyday things. They may not seem like the same person they used to be. Doctors use the word dementia to describe these different problems.

Our Action points are:

ACTION PLAN:

To raise awareness of people living with Dementia in the school community- by planning a focused Collective Worship, Staff meeting and sharing age appropriate story books written for children.   

Our School Governor living with Dementia will deliver a talk (with the support of his wife) with the children and staff on the challenges of living with Dementia and how the school community can best support those in the community.

To set up our school prayer areas to invite children to spontaneously write prayers for those individuals suffering with Dementia.

Your Dementia-Friendly School Lead is: Mrs Angela Alkureishi

Your Diocese of Lichfield dementia-friendly contact is: Alex Wolvers