Pastoral Support and Emotional Literacy Support

At our school, we are incredibly proud of our strong, dedicated and approachable pastoral team. Made up of Kirsty Brine (Pastoral Manager and DDSL), Morwenna Rutland (Family Link Worker and DDSL), and Marie Stanley (Key Stage 2 Teaching Assistant and ELSA), we work together to ensure that every child and family feels listened to, valued and supported. Our aim is to provide a caring, nurturing environment where families know they are never alone and where support is always available.

We work closely with families to identify their needs and signpost them to appropriate support, both within school and through external agencies. This includes food bank referrals, mental health support, ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) sessions, housing advice and support, and working alongside Children’s Services and organisations such as Stronger and Safer Families. We also carry out Early Help Assessments to ensure families receive the right support at the right time. We understand that family life can sometimes bring challenges, and we are here to offer guidance and reassurance through difficult times, including bereavement, family separation and other personal circumstances.

Our pastoral support extends into every aspect of school life. We work closely with class teachers to promote inclusion, support positive behaviour and ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive in the classroom. We also run a daily lunchtime club, providing a calm, safe and welcoming space for children who may find the playground environment challenging or overwhelming. This gives them the opportunity to enjoy lunchtime in a quieter, more settled environment.

We have a genuine open-door policy, meaning families are welcome to come and speak to us at any time if they have a worry, concern or simply need someone to talk to. We work closely with our local Family Hubs, inclusion leads, external professionals and pastoral teams from other schools, continually sharing good practice and developing our knowledge through ongoing training.

Above all, we believe that strong relationships, early intervention and working together make a real difference. We work hand in hand with families, children and class teachers to ensure that every child receives the care, understanding and support they need to achieve the very best outcomes.

Emotional Literacy

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) is a pastoral support programme at The Grove Primary School, designed to support children’s emotional wellbeing and help them develop the skills to manage their feelings. Through individual or small-group sessions, children are supported to build confidence, self-esteem, resilience, social skills and positive relationships. Sessions provide a safe, nurturing space where children can talk about their feelings, explore any worries and develop strategies to overcome challenges. Our ELSA sessions are delivered by our dedicated pastoral team: Mrs Stanley, Miss Brine and Mrs Rutland, who work closely with children to help them feel understood, valued and supported.