Pastoral and Wellbeing
Pastoral and wellbeing provision at Woodside.
At Hethersett Woodside, we believe that pastoral and wellbeing care is at the heart of everything we do. A busy and thriving school such as ours depends not only on excellent teaching and learning but also on creating an environment where every child feels safe, valued, and supported. Pastoral and wellbeing care is not the responsibility of a few; it is a shared commitment across our whole school community.
We know that when children feel understood and cared for, they are more able to thrive, make positive choices, and grow into confident individuals with a strong sense of identity and values. Each child’s journey is unique, and the support they need will differ. Our role is to provide them with the tools, encouragement, and opportunities to learn from experiences, embrace their strengths, and feel part of a caring community.
Central to this is our recognition that well-being and emotional development are just as important as academic progress. By teaching children to understand and talk about their feelings, and by encouraging resilience when things don’t go to plan, we are helping them to feel calm, secure, and confident in social and learning situations. Every adult in our school plays a part in ensuring that the physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of our pupils is cared for.
Our pastoral offer supports children……..
To develop their emotional intelligence, resilience and behaviours. Through the use of Zones of Regulation and Education DESTY, children are taught self awareness, emotional literacy, resilience and to tell their own unique story.
To recognise when they are anxious and give them techniques to manage their worries.
To develop a positive growth mind set and how this may look and feel.
To draw and talk about life experiences and begin to make sense of these. This may be parental separation, living with a serious illness, bereavement or birth of a new sibling.
To work with others through ‘lego therapy’ in order to learn skills of communication, patience and awareness of peers.
To promote mental health and wellbeing through our gardening club run in association with Hethersett Environmental Action Team.
To reflect, restore and reconnect with their peers. This lunchtime session provides children
with the opportunity to pause and reflect if they have made a poor choice, restore relationships where needed, and reconnect with their learning and peers in a positive way.
We have a dedicated pastoral space called ‘The Burrow’ and a dedicated pastoral team, overseen by our Inclusion lead.
Nicola Ingham
Kev McCabe
Michelle Larwood
Our work is effective because it is supported by the commitment of the whole staff team and the positive partnerships we share with families. Our team deliver termly pastoral workshops for parents and carers and work closely with Early Help Norfolk to ensure that the children of Woodside receive consistent care, both at school and at home. We hold a strong belief that together we can provide the nurture, guidance, and encouragement that our young people need to flourish.