At St Peter’s, we believe that happy, emotionally secure children are able to thrive, learn, and achieve their full potential. Your child's mental health and wellbeing are at the heart of everything we do.
We are proud to offer a robust, nurturing network of support right here in school. Additionally, we work closely with trusted external agencies and professionals to ensure that when extra care is needed, our families are fully supported every step of the way.
ELSA
Meet Our ELSA: Emotional Literacy Support Assistant
We are delighted to have Mrs Chow as our dedicated Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA). Mrs Chow is a highly experienced Teaching Assistant who has received specialist, professional training to provide targeted emotional support to our pupils.
To ensure the highest standards of care, our ELSA programme is directly overseen by Educational Psychologists. Because this is a structured intervention, we will always seek parental permission and discuss the programme with you before your child begins.
How Does the ELSA Programme Work?
The ELSA programme is a highly effective, research-backed resource designed to help children navigate their emotions and build resilience.
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Tailored Invitations: If we feel a child would benefit from extra emotional support, they will be invited to join the programme.
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Getting to Know Each Other: We always start with a gentle, friendly 'getting to know you' phase so children feel safe, comfortable, and happy.
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Individually Tailored Sessions: Every session is carefully planned around your child's specific, individual needs.
Children thoroughly enjoy their time in ELSA sessions, which provide them with a calm space to grow in confidence and develop vital emotional skills for life.
Higher-Level Pastoral Support: Working with CAMHS
While programmes like Time to Talk and ELSA are fantastic for day-to-day emotional growth, we recognise that some children may occasionally require more specialised, clinical support.
In these rare circumstances, we work hand-in-hand with parents to make a referral to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
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A Collaborative Approach: We will never make a referral without discussing it with you first. We are here to guide you through the process together.
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Specialist Input: A CAMHS referral opens the door to highly targeted, professional clinical support tailored to your child’s specific mental health needs.
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Continued School Care: While your child receives external professional input, our school pastoral team will continue to provide a safe, supportive, and understanding environment for them during the school day.
Useful Information for Parents
External Resources, Helplines & Apps
If you or your child need extra support outside of school hours, there are several fantastic, free, and confidential organizations available to help.
📞 Helplines & Support Websites
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Childline
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Best for: Children and young people needing someone to talk to about any worry.
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Phone: 0800 1111 (Free, confidential, 24/7)
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Website: www.childline.org.uk
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YoungMinds
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Best for: Practical advice and support for young people's mental health, including a dedicated Parents Helpline.
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Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri, 9:30am - 4pm)
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Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
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The Mix
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Best for: Essential support and advice for under-25s on mental health, relationships, and daily life.
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Phone: 0808 808 4994 (Daily, 4pm - 11pm)
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Website: www.themix.org.uk
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Anxiety UK
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Best for: Specific tools, guidance, and resources regarding youth anxiety.
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Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk (Features a dedicated section for young people and anxiety)
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📱 Recommended Apps
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Positive Penguins
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What it is: A resilience-building app designed specifically for children. It helps them understand, challenge, and navigate negative emotions through interactive stories and games. (Available on iOS and Android platforms).
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