There will always be learners in schools facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage with learning and we understand some will require greater support to increase their emotional literacy than others. 

ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists to help provide young people with the time, space, tools and support they need.

Mrs Wareham - our ELSA

Mrs Wareham is our ELSA, which is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. She supports our young people in a variety of ways to help them deal with issues such as worry and anxiety, coping with bereavement and understanding their emotions. 

Mrs Wareham joined Field Lane in 1995, and has been a Learning Mentor since 2006, so has a wealth of experience in dealing with a variety of needs for young people.  She approaches these needs in ways that best suit each individual and provides the support required. She has received training from educational psychologists to support the emotional development of learners in school. 

One of her areas of focus is to develop social skills using social and therapeutic stories as well as teaching other interventions, such as anger management skills and activities, to boost learner self esteem. She is driven by the fact she can see that her work has a positive impact on the wellbeing of the young people she works with, which she finds extremely rewarding.

Mrs Wareham works with learners across the school, usually on a one-to-one basis, but also in small groups. The sessions are designed to be fun and include a range of activities including; games, role play with puppets or therapeutic activities such as mindfulness, arts and crafts.

We have a specific space for our young people who require ELSA support, The Den. It is a calm, safe and welcoming place where individuals or groups of learners can access the tools and support they need. 

At Field Lane we recognise that young people learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed, which is why we place high value on this area and the work that Mrs Wareham does.

We aim to provide support for a wide range of emotional needs including: 

     Recognising and understanding emotions 

     Self-esteem   

     Social skills    

     Friendship skills 

     Anger management 

     Loss and bereavement 

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Other in-school support:

Our Sanctuary room provides a space where learners can go if they need time and a quiet place to regulate their feelings. There are a variety of mindfulness activities including yoga cards, small world play, colouring, stories and music to support young people to regulate their emotions.

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We are proud to announce that we are a myHappymind Bronze Accredited school!
This means that as a school we consider the mental health and wellbeing of our children
as one of our top priorities. We have created a whole school culture that helps build our
children's resilience, confidence and self esteem as well as teaching them how to self
regulate in those stressful times. 
This Accreditation badge has been awarded thanks to all the effort our staff, children,
governors and parents have put in to bring the lessons of myHappymind to life all
around our school!
To Learn more about the myHappymind for Schools programme visit their website here -
https://myhappymind.org/

Wellbeing Wizards

We have trained some of our learners as Mental Health Champions who are known as 'Wellbeing Wizards'. These young people have had training from Kirklees MHST on how to support others who may be feeling sad or lonely.

The Wellbeing Wizards support our young people, their classmates, during break times and lunchtimes to make sure everyone is feeling happy and safe.

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External support

ChEWs (Children's Emotional Wellbeing Service)

Focuses on raising awareness and providing self-help support for both young people and parents/carers, offering virtual information sessions on a range of topics relating to children’s mental health.

You can view and book onto current sessions here.