As a Federation we are here to support you and your child as best we can within our cohesive team. I am personally delighted to be able to offer advice and support to better your child experience on their educational journey.
Any further questions, please do not hesitate to email the admin team or speak to your child’s class teacher, who will make a referral.
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant
My name is Miss Openshaw, some of you have already made my acquaintance and for those that have not, I look forward to meeting you.
ELSA is an acronym for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. An ELSA is a member of staff who is trained to support children in the development of their emotional literacy. 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 met. It is important to note that ELSAs are not there to fix children’s problems. What they do is provide emotional support to those who need it. ELSAs aim to establish a warm, respectful relationship with a pupil and to provide a reflective space where children are able to share honestly their thoughts and feelings.
ELSA operates across both Infant and Junior schools.
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Understanding and coping with the feelings of ourselves and others.
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Developing high self-esteem and positive interactions with others.
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Being emotionally literate helps children focus better on their learning.
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Recognising emotions.
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Self- esteem.
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Social and friendship skills.
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Anger management.
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Loss and bereavement.
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Your child will be referred for ELSA by their class teacher
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Parents can talk to their child’s teacher if they have concerns about their child and feel ELSA time could be supportive
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We always seek parental permission before starting ELSA work
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You are also able to make your own referrals or contact admin with any concerns
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Your child will receive an invitation from me, inviting them to join me for a session
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Sessions will last approximately 20-30mins, dependent on individual needs
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Sessions may be individual or in groups and tailored to the child’s specific needs
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Sessions are fun and may include elements of role-play, crafts, puppets, games or stories
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Sessions are confidential, strategies and ways to support at home can be shared as necessary
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Sessions are focused around allowing the child to talk and express in a safe space
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Progress will be reviewed on a half termly basis. This will be relayed to Miss Knapp
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A waiting list will operate and ELSA support will be allocated on a needs basis
By informing your ELSA, via admin or your class teacher, of any changes at home that may impact the well-being of your child, however small they may be:
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Changes to family dynamics; partners, new baby, job loss, new job
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Unwell family member
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House move
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Bereavements of family or even pets
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Exposure to news or TV that may cause worries and concerns
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Age related concerns such as puberty
Acorns
At Woolton Hill Junior school we run a Social and Emotional Learning group called ‘Acorns’. This group is based on nurture principles and follows Life learning as a curriculum for social and emotional learning.
The group is a planned intervention for children in Key Stage 2, the group caters for between 6-8 children who meet the groups’ criteria for additional social and emotional intervention.
The group runs for two afternoons weekly in a separate classroom which is designed specifically with small group nurture activities in mind. The group is led by two experienced Teaching Assistants, who have experience of the Key Stage 2 curriculum, have received training from Primary Behaviour Support (PBS) and are nurture group trained.
The group has a self-contained classroom setting with kitchen facilities, access to outdoor learning space and close access to toilet facilities. The room provides space for a group carpet space, group activities, play areas, outside play area, quiet area and an area for quiet reflection away from others if a child needs to address emotional or behavioural difficulties.
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