Supporting the Whole Child
At Flakefleet Primary School, we know that happy, healthy children are better able to learn, grow and thrive.
A child’s emotional wellbeing, mental health and sense of belonging are just as important as their academic development. We want every child to feel safe, valued, understood and ready to take on the challenges that each day brings.
That’s why we have invested significantly in our Pastoral Support Team and relational approach.
Our aim is simple: to understand the child behind the behaviour, provide the right support at the right time, and help children develop the skills they need to flourish.
We support children both proactively and reactively, whether they need a little extra help for a short period or more sustained support over time.
Our Pastoral Team
Our experienced Pastoral Team is a familiar and reassuring presence throughout school.
They work closely with children, families and staff to understand individual needs and help children develop their self-esteem, confidence, resilience and emotional regulation.
Karen Pratt
Pastoral Support Manager and DSL
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Suzanne Moore
Family Support
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Whitney Thoburn
Our wider Pastoral Team provides day-to-day support for children across school, helping them to feel settled, regulated and ready to learn.
Huey
Our School Dog
Sometimes a little four-legged support is just what is needed!
Huey is an important part of our school community and brings plenty of calm, comfort and smiles to the children and adults around him.
Spaces to Feel Safe, Calm and Ready
We have created a number of dedicated spaces around school where children can pause, regulate, reflect and reset when they need to.
These spaces are not about removing children from learning. They are designed to help children develop the emotional and self-regulation skills that allow them to return to learning successfully.
Pastoral Support
Our experienced Pastoral Team are always on hand to support the children on a both short and long basis, reactive and pro-active and have experienced significant successes helping children when they need it most.
Whitney Thoburn
ROOM
Nurture & Pastoral Room
Our Nurture and Pastoral Room provides a calm retreat away from the busy school environment.
It is a warm, welcoming space where children can spend time with trusted adults, develop their personal and social skills and work on their emotional wellbeing.
Sometimes children simply need somewhere quiet, calm and caring to help them reset.
The Zen Den
School life can feel overwhelming for some children.
Our Zen Den provides a peaceful space where children can take some time out, regulate their emotions and use strategies that help them feel calm and ready to re-engage.
Quiet Room
Some children work best when they have access to a quieter environment with fewer distractions.
Our Quiet Room provides a calm space where children can take a break from the busy classroom environment, refocus and get themselves ready to return to learning.
Sensory Room
Our Sensory Room provides children with opportunities to explore and regulate through sensory experiences.
It is particularly popular with our younger children and pupils with additional needs, offering a supportive environment where they can relax, explore and feel comfortable.
Additional Support
We also have additional, full-time, non-class-based staff to help if additional support is needed.
Kate Jagger – Special Needs co-ordinator (SENDCo)
Kate has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the special needs we have in school and is usually able to organise additional support from external agencies where appropriate.
Hayley Wild – Relational (Behaviour) Lead
Hayley works closely with a team of Educational Psychologists who we employ to support us in the best way to support children who struggle to regulate their behaviour. We also receive guidance from other schools and external agencies in the local area and further afield and are proud of the experience we offer our children and families.
Support for Children with Additional Needs
Pastoral support works alongside our wider SEND provision.
Our SENDCo, Kate Jagger, has extensive knowledge and understanding of the additional needs within our school. She works with children, families and staff and, where appropriate, helps coordinate support from external professionals and agencies.
We also have dedicated staff who can provide additional support beyond the classroom when a child needs something different from their usual learning environment.
A Relational Approach
At Flakefleet, we believe that relationships matter.
Our approach to behaviour and pastoral support is rooted in understanding children, building positive relationships and helping them develop the skills to manage their emotions and behaviour.
Our Relational Behaviour Lead, Hayley Wild, works closely with our staff team and Educational Psychologists to continually develop how we support children who find emotional regulation and behaviour particularly challenging.
We also work with other schools and external professionals to share expertise and identify approaches that make a real difference.
We don’t simply ask:
“What has happened?”
We also ask:
“Why might this be happening, and what does this child need from us?”
This helps us respond with understanding while maintaining high expectations.
Working with Families
We know that supporting children is a partnership.
Sometimes a child’s needs are connected to things happening at home, just as things happening in school can affect family life. That’s why we want parents and carers to feel able to talk openly with us.
Our Family Support Worker, Pastoral Team and wider staff are here to listen, offer practical help and help families access additional support when needed.
Asking for help is a strength, not a failure.
If you are worried about your child, please speak to us. We would much rather have an early conversation and work together than wait until a difficulty becomes bigger.
Helping Children Build Resilience
Our ultimate goal is not to remove every difficulty from a child’s life.
Instead, we want to help children develop the confidence, resilience and emotional skills they need to navigate life’s ups and downs.
We want our children to learn:
- It’s okay to ask for help.
- It’s okay to make mistakes.
- Feelings are important and can be managed.
- Difficult moments don’t last forever.
- We can learn strategies that help us cope.
- Other people can help us when things feel difficult.
- We can recover, try again and keep going.
- These are skills that children will carry with them long after they leave Flakefleet.
Here When You Need Us
- Pastoral support is part of everyday life at Flakefleet.
- Whether a child needs a quiet space, someone to listen, help with emotional regulation, support with friendships, additional family support or a little encouragement to get back on track, we are here.
- Our children deserve to know that there are adults around them who care, listen and believe in them.
- At Flakefleet, we don’t just want children to do well.
- We want them to feel well, feel safe, feel valued and believe in themselves.
- Together, we help every child find their way forward.
Karen Pratt
Pastoral Support Manager and DSL
Karen Pratt – Pastoral Support Manager & Designated Safeguarding Lead
Karen has extensive experience supporting children and families. She works with families to identify the right support and, where appropriate, helps them access additional services and specialist support.
Suzanne Moore
Family Support
Suzanne Moore – Family Support Worker
We know that family life can sometimes feel challenging. Suzanne is here to provide a listening ear, practical support and help families find a way forward.
We encourage parents and carers to talk to us if things are difficult. You don’t have to wait until a problem becomes overwhelming before asking for help.