Wellbeing and Pastoral Support

Wellbeing and Pastoral Support

Our approach to wellbeing and pastoral support ensures that pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn. We recognise that emotional wellbeing underpins successful learning, and we provide a range of carefully planned support to help pupils develop resilience, manage emotions and engage positively with school life.

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)

Our ELSA provision supports children who may need additional help with their emotional wellbeing. Through planned sessions, children develop skills to understand and manage their feelings, build confidence, form positive relationships and cope with challenges.

Support is delivered by our trained ELSA staff, Mrs Warren and Mrs Dulley, who attend regular training and supervision. Sessions are tailored to individual needs and may take place on a one-to-one basis or in small groups. All sessions are carefully monitored to ensure children feel supported and make progress.                                                                                                                     

Nurture Approach (Nurture UK)                                          

We are committed to the principles of Nurture UK, placing children’s social and emotional development at the centre of learning.

Our nurture provision is led by Mrs Letkey, our trained Nurture practitioner, and is delivered in school alongside, but separate from, daily lessons. Children’s social and emotional development is assessed using a recognised framework to ensure support is well matched to individual needs.

Our nurture approach ensures that:

Relationships are at the heart of our practice

• Children feel safe, valued and understood
• Staff respond to individual needs with consistency and care
• The environment supports emotional wellbeing alongside learning

This approach helps children engage positively with school and build resilience over time.

Therapy Dog – Luna

We are proud to have our school therapy dog, Luna, who is a working dog and plays a special role in supporting pupils’ wellbeing.

Luna helps to:

• Reduce anxiety and promote a calm environment
• Support children’s confidence and emotional regulation
• Encourage positive interactions and communication
• Motivate and engage children in learning activities

Time with Luna is carefully planned and supervised, with sessions designed to support safe handling using our training dog, Missy. Members of staff are professionally trained as dog handlers to ensure Luna is managed safely at all times, supporting the wellbeing and safety of both pupils and staff.

Luna wearing her training coat. Mrs Letkey and our training dog Missy