Garland Junior School

Mental health and Emotional Literacy is very important in our schools and we want to be able to provide the children with strategies to cope with the ups and  downs of everyday life. Research supports the need for early intervention, to help children recognise and deal with their complex emotional responses. Indeed supporting children with their emotions also supports their learning in school; as they develop good resilience and strong self-esteem.

​An ELSA provides specialist support for children following extra training from educational psychologists and other specialists in areas such as bereavement. They have regular supervision in order to support them and to provide strategies where needed. The aims of our ELSAs are to help the children talk about their concerns and develop ways to help them cope in a supportive atmosphere. The work is relaxed and can be play based which means that the child feels comfortable and learns valuable skills for the future.

Our ELSAs support the children in the following 7 areas either 1:1 or in small groups:

Emotions
Self-esteem
Anxiety/Worries
Anger Management
Friendship Skills
Social Skills
Loss & bereavement

​We have a dedicated ELSA room in both schools, where the children feel safe and secure and are able to express their feelings openly and honestly.  Children are referred to the ELSA either through the class teacher the Inclusion Manager, the Pastoral Manager and can be requested by parents.

Our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant at Garland is Mrs Page.