Here at Soudley School we have a pastoral team to support children and families within our school community. Sometimes, children and/or families experience difficulties or have concerns.
Together, our aim is to make things better for all of the children in our care. Sometimes, we may look to work with other professionals to do this. Our school has a clear vision to support children and make it work for them. We look after their wellbeing and keep them safe; the Pastoral Team will work with you and your family to look for solutions that work for everyone.
Within the team we have a wealth of skills, knowledge and experience. Between us we have many years working in education, across all the sectors, including schools (from early years to secondary); alternative provision (supporting children who have been excluded from school); in informal provision including preschool community provision and play work; in family learning/family support. We have specific training related to our roles and a number of specialisms.
Our roles and responsibilities vary within school and the team includes several members of staff, both in teaching and support roles. As a very small school we know all the children by name and work across the key stages. So together we hope to offer support your child with their health, wellbeing and happiness.
ELSAs are emotional literacy support assistants. They are teaching assistants who have had special training from educational psychologists to support the emotional development of children and young people in school. ELSAs have regular professional supervision from educational psychologists to help them in their work. ELSAs can help children and young people learn to understand their emotions, support with self-esteem, anger management, transitions, social and friendship skills, bereavement, family break ups and social communication difficulties. They provide the time and space for pupils to think about their personal circumstances and how they manage them.
These are the members of the Pastoral Team:
Mrs Jeavons Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
Mrs Wedley Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)
Mrs Penn Family Support Worker
Your child’s class teacher
As ever, if you feel you would like support, please contact us.
Make an appointment through the school office, call 01594 822004 or email admin@soudley.gloucs.sch.uk
We look forward to working with you.
Trailblazers
We are delighted that our school has been given the opportunity to take part in a national programme to help make mental health support for children and young people more available when they need it.
We are one of 72 schools from Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Forest of Dean to work with the NHS in Gloucestershire to introduce Mental Health Support Teams into schools.
We hope that these teams will provide valuable support to our pupils to help them with life’s ups and down, for example, with issues such as anxiety, friendship concerns, exam stress and challenging behaviour.
This may involve group work and/or individual, one-to-one support, either at school or elsewhere. Where appropriate, the Mental Health Support Team will also link up with the specialist mental health services in Gloucestershire. They will also support parents and teachers to help children and young people who are experiencing difficulties.
If you have any questions or concerns or would like to make a referral to the service, please contact:
Mrs Penn 01594 822004