Supporting Every Child to Belong, Thrive and Succeed

At The Gateway Primary Academy, we believe that children learn best when they feel safe, happy, valued and supported. We recognise that every child will experience challenges at different points in their lives and that emotional wellbeing is just as important as academic achievement.

We are committed to supporting children throughout their time at The Gateway, providing the right help at the right time so that they can develop confidence, resilience and the skills needed to navigate life's challenges. We understand that emotional support is not simply about helping children in difficult moments. It is about enabling them to flourish, build positive relationships, engage in learning and prepare successfully for the next stage of their education and beyond.

Working in Partnership with Parents

We believe that the most effective support for children comes when school and home work together. Parents and carers know their children best, and we place great importance on building strong partnerships with families.

We recognise that when a child is experiencing emotional difficulties, support is often needed beyond the school day. For this reason, we work closely with parents and carers, offering guidance, signposting and practical support wherever possible. By supporting both the child and their family, we can create a consistent approach that helps children feel secure and understood in all aspects of their lives.

A Graduated Approach to Emotional Support

At The Gateway, we offer a range of support that is tailored to individual needs through a tiered approach.

Universal Support (For All Children)

All children benefit from a nurturing and supportive environment where wellbeing is promoted every day through:

• Positive relationships with trusted adults
• Daily emotional check-ins and regular talk opportunities
• Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
• Mental health awareness activities
• Learning about emotions and self-regulation
• A strong culture of belonging, respect and inclusion

Targeted Support (Additional Help When Needed)

Some children may benefit from additional support for a period of time. This may include:

• Regular "Talk Time" sessions with a trusted adult
• Small group emotional wellbeing interventions
• Zones of Regulation programmes
• Lego Therapy sessions
• Social skills and friendship groups
• Parent meetings and home-school support plans

Specialist Support (For Children Requiring More Intensive Support)

For children who need more specialist intervention, we can access or commission additional support, including:

• ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) programmes
• SALUS wellbeing support services
• External counselling and therapeutic support
• Referrals to wider health and family support services where appropriate
• Multi-agency collaboration with professionals supporting the child and family

Strategies We Use

Talk Time

Sometimes children simply need the opportunity to talk. Our Talk Time approach provides a safe space for children to discuss worries, celebrate successes and develop positive coping strategies with a trusted adult.

Zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation framework helps children recognise, understand and manage their emotions. Children learn practical strategies to regulate feelings such as anger, frustration, anxiety and excitement, enabling them to return to a state where they are ready to learn.

Draw and Talk

Draw and Talk is a gentle, child-centred therapeutic approach that allows children to communicate thoughts, feelings and experiences through drawing and conversation. For some children, expressing emotions verbally can be difficult, and Draw and Talk provides a safe and non-intrusive way for them to process feelings, build resilience and develop emotional wellbeing. Sessions are delivered by trained staff in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Lego Therapy

Lego Therapy develops communication, teamwork, listening and problem-solving skills. Through structured collaborative activities, children can strengthen social interaction skills and build confidence in a supportive environment.

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

Our ELSA provision supports children experiencing emotional difficulties such as anxiety, bereavement, low self-esteem, friendship challenges and emotional regulation needs. Sessions are tailored to individual circumstances and delivered in a nurturing and supportive manner.

SALUS Support

For some Key Stage 2 pupils, we commission specialist support through SALUS. This provides targeted intervention for children who require more intensive emotional wellbeing support and can help them develop strategies to manage challenges both in school and at home.

Why Emotional Wellbeing Matters

The Department for Education's guidance on Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools and Keeping Children Safe in Education highlights the crucial link between mental wellbeing, safeguarding, attendance, behaviour and achievement. Schools have an important role in identifying needs early and ensuring that children and families receive appropriate support.

At The Gateway, we understand that emotional wellbeing underpins every aspect of a child's development. Children who feel emotionally supported are more likely to:

• Attend school regularly
• Engage positively in learning
• Develop resilience and confidence
• Build and maintain healthy relationships
• Manage challenges effectively
• Feel a sense of belonging within the school community
• Achieve their full potential academically and personally

Helping Children Become Ready for Life

Our aim is not simply to support children through immediate challenges but to equip them with the emotional tools they need for the future.

We want every child at The Gateway to leave us with the confidence, resilience, self-awareness and emotional literacy needed to thrive at secondary school and beyond. By providing effective emotional support, working closely with families and responding to children's individual needs, we help ensure that every child feels that they belong, can succeed and has the opportunity to become the very best version of themselves.