At Annfield Plain Junior School, we are an inclusive school. We consult with a wide range of agencies and partnerships to ensure the emotional and social development needs of SEND children are met. Our school is a Rights Respecting school and staff believe that high self-esteem is crucial. We aim to support and promote the emotional wellbeing of all children. On a daily basis, the class teacher is responsible for the pastoral and social care of every child in their class, therefore this would be the parents’ first point of contact should further advice or support is required.
At Annfield Plain Junior School, we fund support for school counsellors and the emotional wellbeing and behaviour support team (EWEL team). Both work with many children, parents and families to provide an additional layer of pastoral care. Activities include therapeutic stories , lego therapy, CBT, person-centred approaches, zones of regulation. We also run a range of school social and emotional interventions: Listening Matters (connecting with children), Talkabout, Socially Speaking and Getting Along. All pupils access Relax Kids and a range of mindfulness activities.
Annfield Plain Junior School also refers for support from specialist services, such as: Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapy, CAHMS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service), School Nursing Service, Sensory Support, Speech & Language, Looked After Team, Social Services and Medical Professionals. We have a large meeting space and often hold multi-professional meetings in school, so that parents are comfortable in the school environment and the child can join us easily, if it is appropriate.
As a school we have a very positive approach to all types of behaviour with a clear reward and sanction system that is followed by all staff and pupils: Great to be Green. The children are rewarded with a daily sticker for positive and kind behaviour, leading to bronze, silver and gold certificates each term.
We also work on “Bobby Brain’s Magic Habits For Life” which is integral with the school’s vision and encourages the children to show Motivation, Attitude, Gumption, I-can attitude and clear, positive Communication. These themes are addressed through regular assemblies, lessons in class, through our weekly PSHCE and Philosophy for Children (P4C) lessons.