Pastoral Support

Our Pastoral Support Programme

At St Francis’ Primary we want everyone involved with our school to feel well supported. We believe that good pastoral support focuses on nurturing the individual needs of each child. We aim to build trusting and empathic relationships with all our pupils and their families.

Our Inclusion Team is made up of 5 dedicated professionals. This includes our Headteacher, SENCo, full-time Pastoral Lead and full-time mentor. Together our team works with students so they can lead fulfilling and balanced lives at school and beyond.

All our staff model to students how to look after themselves and others; encouraging them to seek help, support or advice whenever they need it.

Pastoral care underpins personal development and we know from experience that with outstanding pastoral care, students feel they belong and their self-esteem is able to flourish because they feel valued and cared for.

Supporting the pastoral needs of pupils sometimes involves working with external agencies. In these situations, we ensure that a confidential, professional, non-judgemental and sensitive service is provided.

St Francis’ Primary’s Pastoral Support

Range of academic interventions organised by our mentor.
Full time Pastoral Support for children and families
Peer group work
pastoral support for Staff

Examples of the Pastoral Care Team’s work include:

We are a ‘talking school’; we encourage our children to share their concerns at all times
‘The Three houses’ in every class throughout Key Stage 1 & 2. These are monitored by teachers and the Pastoral Support Officer.
Rights Respecting Council. Pupils are elected by their peers. Children are fully aware of the role of the elected councillors and are encouraged to regularly bring their views and ideas to their Class Representatives.
Peer mentors are very visible in the playground at play times.
Peer mentors listen to children and facilitate activities within the playground in response to what children have asked for. Year 5 peer mentors are trained as play leaders.
Children who have been identified as vulnerable are given a Key Worker at play and lunch times. This ensures that the social and emotional needs of vulnerable children are being addressed consistently.

For Pupils:

An active Pastoral which children can be referred to or self-refer
Robust Inclusion Team
Open door policies for all pupils with the DSL
Staff training on how to provide a nurturing environment and children are taught to speak to members of Staff about any problems they have
Rigorous behaviour monitoring and looking for possible causes of the behaviour
Displays around the school promoting wellbeing and providing opportunities to talk
Students feel safe to report concerns about other students
Assemblies on Health and Wellbeing
Circle Times sessions in Class
Philosophy for Children throughout the curriculum
School Rights Respecting Council
Pupil voice for Annual Reviews and EHCP conversions
Strong partnership with parents

For Staff:

Pastoral support for Staff
Safeguarding awareness developed
Regular staff meetings to discuss welfare of specific pupils
Termly Reviews

For Parents:

In house counselling service (waiting list applicable)
Full time Pastoral Support Officer. Onsite daily to help with any concerns a parent may have
Headteacher has an open door policy for parents
SENCo
Secondary transition work