Pastoral Support

At Orion Scotts Park, we believe that children can only truly thrive academically when they feel safe, supported, and valued as individuals. Pastoral care sits at the very heart of everything we do.

Our pastoral offer ensures that every child, whatever their background, circumstances, or needs, has a trusted adult they can turn to. Whether a child is navigating friendship difficulties, managing anxiety, dealing with change at home, or simply having a tough day, we are here. We listen, we act, and we walk alongside families every step of the way.

Here at Orion Scotts Park, we invest heavily in the whole child, not just their academic progress, but their emotional health, their sense of belonging, and their ability to face life's challenges with courage.

Our pastoral provision, led by Miss Garcia, includes dedicated support from trained staff, close links with external agencies where needed, and a consistent, nurturing environment built on clear values and mutual respect. We work in close partnership with families, because we know that when home and school are aligned, children flourish.

Direct work with families:

Supporting families with behavioural concerns, providing guidance and strategies for managing challenges at home
Working with families experiencing mental health difficulties, offering a supportive and non-judgmental space
Boundary setting support, helping families to establish and maintain consistent, healthy boundaries
Signposting and referrals to external Early Help agencies, ensuring families access the right support at the right time
Working with families ahead of secondary school transition, ensuring SEMH needs are communicated and plans in place

Direct 1:1 work with children:

Resilience building, helping children to develop coping strategies and a positive mindset
Confidence and self-esteem work, empowering children to reach their potential
Anger management support, equipping children with tools to understand and regulate their emotions
Emotional wellbeing sessions, providing a safe space for children to explore and express their feelings

Group work with children:

Group sessions focusing on key subjects such as transitions, resilience, friendship skills, and emotional regulation, helping children develop essential life skills alongside their peers

Direct work with external agencies/ schools:

Collaborative working with BCP and Social Care, attending meetings, contributing to assessments and supporting families through statutory processes
Liaising with attendance officers and with LA to provide a joined-up response to concerning patterns

Direct work with school staff - teachers and LSAs

Working alongside class teachers to identify and incorporate SEMH needs into the school day
Supporting the development and review of strategies embedded within pupils' SEN Passports, ensuring needs are consistently met across the curriculum
Ensuring recommended strategies are incorporated into SEN passports where they exist
Attending TAC meetings and contributing to joined-up planning across school staff

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

Alongside our wider pastoral offer, Orion Scotts Park is proud to have a trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) working directly with children across the school.

ELSA is a nationally recognised programme developed by Educational Psychologists. It is designed to support children who need a little extra help understanding and managing their emotions. Our ELSA-trained member of staff works with children on a one-to-one basis or in small groups, delivering structured, child-centred sessions in a calm and nurturing setting.

Sessions may focus on a range of areas, including:

Understanding and naming emotions
Building self-esteem and confidence
Developing social skills and friendships
Managing worries and anxieties
Supporting children through loss, change, or difficult life experiences

ELSA support is not a clinical intervention, it is a warm, consistent relationship built around each child's individual needs. Children who access ELSA sessions often develop greater emotional awareness, improved self-regulation, and a stronger sense of who they are. It is one more way we ensure that no child at Orion Scotts Park faces their challenges alone.

TKAT ACEs Mentoring Programme

Orion Scotts Park is also proud to offer the TKAT ACEs (A Champion for Every Child) Mentoring Programme as part of our pastoral provision. This programme provides dedicated mentoring support for children who may have experienced adversity or trauma, ensuring they have a consistent, trusted adult relationship to help them navigate challenges and reach their potential. Further information about the ACEs programme can be found elsewhere on our website.

The impact of our Pastoral Support

Our pastoral provision has a profound impact on our school community. Children who receive pastoral support develop greater emotional awareness, improved self-regulation, enhanced resilience, and increased confidence. As one child shared: "My sessions have really helped me because now I am beginning to understand how I can control my behaviour when I'm angry."

Another pupil reflected: "I always enjoy my sessions because they are lovely. They keep me calm and safe so that I feel I am supported and helped with my feelings."

Parents also value the support available, knowing that their family has access to professional guidance during challenging times. This partnership approach creates a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child can flourish.

Our Family Worker's dedication and expertise ensure that pastoral care remains at the heart of everything we do at Orion Scotts Park, creating a school community where wellbeing, kindness, and support are prioritised alongside academic excellence.