The Stable School is celebrating the achievement of Principal Denise Carpenter, who has become a Registered Trauma-Informed Practitioner with Trauma Informed Schools & Communities UK (TISCUK).
Denise has been formally registered as a Trauma-Informed Practitioner by TISCUK, with her registration running until September 2027. The professional register is open to graduates of TISCUK’s Level 5 Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools & Communities and requires practitioners to maintain ongoing professional development and supervision and adhere to TISCUK’s Code of Ethics.
The achievement is particularly significant for The Stable School, where trauma-informed practice is embedded within the school’s approach to supporting learners. Denise has led the implementation of trauma-informed practice across the school, helping to develop an environment in which relationships, emotional safety and understanding learners’ individual needs are central to their education.
Trauma-informed practice recognises the impact that trauma and adverse experiences can have on a child or young person’s emotional wellbeing, behaviour and ability to engage with learning. It focuses on creating safe, compassionate and supportive environments in which children and young people can thrive.
Denise Carpenter, Principal of The Stable School, said:
“I am incredibly proud to have achieved Registered Trauma-Informed Practitioner status. Trauma-informed practice is fundamental to the culture we have created at The Stable School and to the way we understand and support our learners every day.
For me, it is about looking beyond behaviour and understanding what a learner may be communicating, ensuring they feel safe, understood and supported by the adults around them. When learners develop that sense of trust and psychological safety, they are better able to engage with learning, build positive relationships and recognise their own strengths.
This achievement is not simply about my own professional development; it reflects an approach that our whole team is committed to and that continues to shape the experience we provide for every learner at The Stable School.”
Denise has been part of The Stable School since 2019, progressing from teacher to Principal. Her leadership of trauma-informed practice has helped establish a relational approach in which staff are equipped to recognise dysregulation, respond with appropriate strategies and remain emotionally available to learners during challenging moments.
Tracey Storey, Founder, CEO and Executive Chair of Melrose Education Ltd, said:
“We are extremely proud of Denise for achieving Registered Trauma-Informed Practitioner status. Her commitment to developing her knowledge and translating that learning into meaningful practice reflects exactly the kind of leadership we value across Melrose Education.
For many of the learners within our schools, feeling safe, understood and able to trust the adults around them is an essential foundation for successful learning. Denise has been instrumental in embedding this understanding throughout The Stable School, ensuring trauma-informed and relational practice is not simply an initiative, but something that can be seen and felt in the everyday culture of the school.
This is a fantastic achievement for Denise and one that will continue to benefit learners, colleagues and families at The Stable School.”
The Stable School, part of Melrose Education, provides specialist education for learners aged six to 16 in Christchurch, Dorset. Denise’s achievement further supports the school’s commitment to creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment in which learners are supported to overcome barriers, develop confidence and fulfil their potential.
Congratulations to Denise on this fantastic achievement!