Supporting our pupils 

When pupils feel supported and valued, they are more likely to engage in learning and perform better academically. By addressing the holistic needs of our pupils, we are helping them be well-equipped to face academic challenges and achieve their full potential.  
 

Our school is more than just a place of learning; it’s a community where pupils, staff, and families come together to create a supportive and caring atmosphere.

Safeguarding and support  

Our dedicated team of safeguarding leads works tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of every pupil. We take a proactive approach to safeguarding, with regular training and updates to ensure we’re always prepared to support our students in the best way possible.   

 

Open-door policy  

Communication is key to fostering a supportive community. That’s why we have an open-door policy at Halstead St Andrew's. We encourage pupils and parents to come to us with any concerns or issues they might have. Whether it’s a quick chat with a teacher or a more in-depth discussion, we’re here to listen and provide support. No issue is too big or too small, and we believe that open communication helps us address concerns before they become bigger problems.  
 

Our open-door policy extends to our families too. We know that raising young people can sometimes be challenging, and we’re here to help parents navigate these tricky times, providing the resources and support they need.   

 

What we offer at Halstead St Andrew's

ELSA

ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. An ELSA is trained and then supported by an Educational Psychologist to enable them to provide support in many areas of a child’s everyday life aged from 2-16, thus enabling them to be emotionally ready to get the best out of their learning. The programme generally lasts for 6-10 weeks.

The role of an ELSA is to help provide children with the language and the tools they need to enable them to express themselves in an appropriate way. ELSA’s also help support friendships, anxiety, self-esteem, parental separation, divorce, and grief as well as many other areas that may affect a child’s school day.

Drawing and Talking

Another support offered at HSA is Drawing and Talking. A Drawing and Talking Practitioner is trained to deliver the Drawing and Talking programme over a period of 12 weeks, offering a safe, quiet environment to process emotions and difficult situations in a gentle and non-intrusive way.

Youth Mental Health First Aider

We have a trained Youth Mental Health First Aider (YMHFA) on site 4 days a week and they are available to be the first point of contact for any young person who is wanting support with their mental health. Children from 8-13 can drop in and seek support, advice and signposting towards other areas of help where needed.

We are very lucky to have a dedicated room in which to support these wellbeing programmes. It is a safe, confidential space where the children visiting it are encouraged to be comfortable in expressing how they are feeling with no judgement, but with patience, safety and a listening ear. It is furnished with comfy chairs, a quiet corner and plenty of games, crafts and activities to encourage a relaxed, safe atmosphere. Weekly sessions are planned and targeted to help each individual child with their own specific needs.

How does my child receive this support?

The process for receiving support with these interventions comes first from your child’s class teacher.

If you have any concerns, the class teacher should be your first point of contact. They will then submit a referral to the Inclusion Team where a discussion with all necessary staff will take place to determine the best form of support for your child.