Pastoral Provision
Flourish – Holtspur School’s Nurture space
Why Flourish?
The ongoing effects of the pandemic and lockdown are well known. These, in addition to a family’s typical joys and challenges, has meant the Holtspur community has had to adapt to a very different way of living. ‘Normal’ – whatever that looked like for you – is no longer.
Flourish opened following the second lockdown when once again families’ wellbeing was compromised. In tandem with the School values, and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the aim of Flourish is for staff and pupils to thrive in all aspects of life and find a listening ear when the going gets tough.
What is Flourish?
Flourish is a safe and confidential space located in the KS2 corridor near the Hall. Away from the classroom, aspects such as resilience, confidence, independence, developing social / emotional skills and how to keep mentally healthy are explored. Personal development, behaviour and welfare of the Holtspur community are at the forefront of a whole-school approach to supporting mental health and wellbeing.
What’s on offer?
Drop in: during break and lunchtime, children can drop in directly from the playground to chat, share news or worries.
Time to Talk: Pupils in Year 2-6 write their name on a green slip and pop it in their classroom envelope for an individual meet up - KS1 Tuesdays 1230-1pm, KS2 Thursdays 12-12.30pm.
Sessions: Following informal referral from a parent/class teacher/outside agency, an afternoon session is timetabled as a one-off or ongoing. Daily morning check-ins too for anxious/avoidant attenders or those who benefit from support to transition from home to school.
Preparation: Coaching for significant events such as Year 6 residential away, moving to a different school, change in family circumstance, coping with aspects of school life which are tricky and much more.
Room use: The welcoming and relaxing feel is conducive to hosting meetings, external specialist input with a child such as OT/speech & language, Helping Hands, Social Worker and Family Support visits.
bereavement – separation – self-worth – friendship – sleep – anger – siblings
and all that makes our life journey unique
What is ELSA?
There will always be children and young people in schools facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage with learning. Some will require greater support to increase their emotional literacy than others. ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.
The majority of ELSA work is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. Sessions are fun, we use a range of activities such as: games, role-play with puppets or therapeutic activities such as mindfulness or arts and craft. ELSA sessions take place in our very own 'ELSA room' which provides a calm, safe space for the child to feel supported and nurtured.If you would like to know more you can speak to your child’s class teacher, Mrs Righton or Mrs McCormack
In ELSA we aim to provide support for a wide range of emotional needs:
Recognising emotions
Anxiety
Self-esteem
Social skills
Friendship skills
Anger management
Loss and bereavement
Children's Mental Health - links & documents
https://www.childrensmentalhealthweek.org.uk/
https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
https://calmlittleminds.co.uk/