University marks Prematurity Awareness Month by encouraging schools to take up the Prem Aware Award to support children born early

Research undertaken by experts from the University of Leicester is helping to support parents and teachers of children born prematurely. 

The Prem Aware Award scheme was launched in 2020 by The Smallest Things Charity. It aims to raise awareness and support parents, carers and schools to recognise and meet the needs of children born prematurely whose development and learning may have been impacted by their early birth. 

The scheme was developed using research from the University’s Department of Population Health Sciences.

Now, in Prematurity Awareness Month (November), the University and The Smallest Things Charity are teaming up to highlight the award scheme with the aim of encouraging more schools to take it up. 

Three schools across Leicester and Leicestershire, along with 119 in the UK have already received the award, and a further 152 have signed up to the scheme and are working towards it.

Among those who have completed the award is Ashby Willesley Primary School in Leicestershire, who were visited by MP Amanda Hack recently to highlight what they were doing. 

Speaking afterward, headteacher, Chloe Dilks, said: "We understand how important it is to identify and meet the needs that pupils born prematurely are more likely to have compared to their peers born at full term, and are proud of the work we do to support families and their children after neonatal intensive care and premature birth.” 

The scheme promotes use of the Preterm Birth Information for Educational Professionals – a free online training resource developed by Professor Samantha Johnson, developmental psychologist and Professor of Child Development at the University and her colleagues in the PRISM (Premature Infants’ Skills in Mathematics – Study Team).

The online resources outline the impact premature birth can have on a child’s development and learning and offer practical ways that schools can support premature children if they need it.

Professor Johnson said: “Our research has shown that children born prematurely are more likely to have difficulties with their development and learning than children born at term, and these can impact on their attainment at school, from reception year right through to GCSEs. 

“Schools have a vital role to play in supporting prematurely born children and their families and the Prem Aware Award provides the tools to do just that. Here at the University we are delighted to work in partnership with The Smallest Things charity to promote the award and ensure that our research helps provide the best possible support for premature children and their families.”

Children born before 37 weeks of gestation are known as preterm, while those born before 28 weeks are known as extremely preterm. Although extremely preterm births make up only a small percentage of all births, these children are more likely to need some degree of extra support as they grow older. 

Catriona Ogilvy, Founder of The Smallest Things charity, added: “Starting school is a big step in the journey after neonatal care and parents tell us time and again that there needs to be more awareness and understanding of the lasting impact of premature birth.

"Having schools ready to meet the needs of children born prematurely and their families can make an enormous difference, and The Smallest Things are proud to partner with the University of Leicester to improve the journey and outcomes for this cohort of children. We hope to see more schools and early years setting following in the footsteps of those already making changes in Leicestershire.”