Why is pastoral care important?
All parents/carers want their children to be safe and happy at school. Pastoral care is all about making sure this happens. Education and health are closely linked and studies have shown that children with good health and wellbeing are likely to achieve better academically. Good pastoral care in school is fundamental to the development of character and skills, which will be of great importance to children in later life.
ELSA
An ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) in a school provides emotional and mental health support to students, helping them develop emotional awareness, resilience, and coping strategies. The role involves working with children who may be struggling with issues such as anxiety, low self-esteem, social difficulties, or emotional regulation. ELSAs offer individual or small group sessions that focus on:
- Emotional literacy: Helping students identify and express their feelings in a healthy way.
- Self-regulation: Teaching students how to manage their emotions and behaviours, especially in challenging situations.
- Social skills: Supporting students in building positive relationships, improving communication, and resolving conflicts.
- Building resilience: Helping students develop coping mechanisms to deal with challenges or difficult emotions.
- Well-being and mental health: Providing a safe space for students to discuss their emotional needs and receive guidance.
The ELSA role is vital in promoting emotional well-being, enhancing students' ability to learn, and creating a positive and supportive school environment. ELSAs are typically trained professionals who work under the guidance of a qualified educational psychologist or a mental health lead.
Miss Storey is a trained ELSA and Miss Smith is currently completing her ELSA training.
Miss Smith is our Behaviour, Relationships and Learning Mentor who is based in the Willow Room and is currently completing her ELSA training.
Miss Smith spends time with children in small groups and on a 1-2-1 basis. In these sessions, she helps to support children in school who are experiencing temporary or longer term additional emotional needs.
Miss Storey is our SENDco Assistant and Intervention TA. She is also a qualified ELSA.
She is based in The Rainbow Room and offers a variety of interventions to children across the school.
