Pastoral Support: Nurturing the Whole Child

Letting our light shine and making a difference in everything we do.

At St Mary & All Saints, we believe that emotional well-being and academic achievement go hand-in-hand. For a child to truly let their unique light shine, they must first feel safe, valued, understood, and happy.

Guided by our core values of Kindness and Respect, our dedicated staff work tirelessly to create a deeply supportive environment. We understand that life can bring challenges, and we are committed to building your child's Resilience so they can navigate ups and downs with confidence.

What is Pastoral Support?

Pastoral support is the emotional and social care we wrap around our pupils. It is not a "one-size-fits-all" system; instead, it is a fluid web of care tailored to each individual child.

We provide guidance, a listening ear, and targeted support for children who may be experiencing:

  • Anxiety, stress, or school worries.

  • Difficulties with friendships, social skills, or self-esteem.

  • Big life changes, such as bereavement, family separation, or moving house.

  • Challenges with emotional regulation or managing big feelings.

Our Multi-Tiered Approach to Well-being

To ensure every child receives the right care at the right time, we structure our pastoral care into three clear tiers:

Tier 1: Whole-School Care (Universal)

Every single child benefits from our strong classroom cultures. Class teachers and learning support assistants build deep relationships with pupils, checking in daily. Our inclusive PSHE curriculum, collective worships, and focus on our core Christian values ensure well-being is woven into everything we do.

Tier 2: Short-Term Targeted Support (Internal)

If a teacher or parent notices a child is struggling, we intervene early. This might include small-group friendship interventions, lunchtime check-ins, mentoring with a trusted member of staff, or structured sessions focused on building self-esteem and resilience.

A Partnership with Families

We know that you know your child best. We aim to work in absolute harmony with parents and carers. If there is a change at home—even something small—that might impact your child’s emotional state during the school day, we always encourage you to let us know so we can keep an extra, gentle eye on them.

Tier 3: Specialised External Support (Targeted)

Where a child requires deeper emotional or psychological care, we work collaboratively with families to refer to external specialists. This includes close liaison with the Specialist Teacher Service, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), and local family support charities.

How to Access Support

If you have any worries about your child's emotional or social well-being, getting help is simple:

  1. Talk to the Class Teacher: Your child's class teacher is always the first point of contact. You can grab them briefly at the end of the day or message the office to arrange a quiet phone call.

  2. Escalating Support: If further support is needed, the class teacher will liaise directly with our Senior Leadership Team and SENDCo, Mrs Levin, to map out a targeted pastoral plan.

If you wish to speak to someone in confidence regarding a sensitive family matter, please contact the school office directly:

A Note on Safeguarding: Our pastoral care is intrinsically linked with our safeguarding practices. If any disclosure or observation indicates a child may be at risk of harm, our strict Child Protection procedures are always followed instantly to keep the child safe.

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