“Your mind is like a garden. With care, it will bloom beautifully.”  Unknown

At Layton Primary School we recognise that it is just as important to support children’s social and emotional wellbeing as it is to help them progress as learners.   We understand that children are increasingly experiencing challenges, and that poor mental or physical health can be barriers to success in school and as they grow into adults.  With the Layton 5Rs as a foundation, we support our children in a number of different ways.

We:

Promote positive emotional health and wellbeing and healthy relationships through 1:1 and small group support from our team. This level of support is normally provided in the short term with an identified focus for children, such as confidence and self-esteem building or small friendship groups.  We also offer 1:1 support for children who have experienced difficulties outside of school, for example a bereavement or relationship breakdown.

Promote good attendance and punctuality working with colleagues in the Pupil Welfare Service, we will work with you and your children to remove barriers to good school attendance, supporting with positive morning routines, any worries around school etc.

Promote positive behaviour and positive attitudes to learning as we understand that happy children make successful learners.  The team therefore work closely with classroom staff to provide children with the strategies they need to make progress in the classroom and build healthy relationships with peers and adults.  This may, for example, involve supporting children as they play outside, running lunchtime clubs or leading Lego Therapy sessions to help children build their social communication skills.

Academic Counsellor In addition to all the support detailed above, Layton Primary school recognises that more specialist mental health support can be required for children and that expert counselling supports children facing challenges such as anxiety, bereavement and trauma. Counsellor, Alli Thompson is based full time at Layton Primary School but has worked as a counsellor for children and young people for over 15 years in schools across the Fylde coast. Here at Layton, Alli supports students through a creative approach, including art and play-based activities.  In the sessions, children will gradually learn strategies to support their wellbeing both in and out of school. Referrals for counselling are made via the Family Engagement Team and SENDCO. If you think your children would benefit from this specialist support, please speak to your children’s class teacher.