At Burton we aim to provide the highest quality pastoral support throughout the school.  We work in partnership with the PACE trust to support pupils at Burton achieve their best, educationally, socially and emotionally. 

Our Pastoral Support team is made up of Miss Jane Pope, our Pastoral Support Worker and Mrs Karen Simmonds and Mrs Kerrie Mcdavid our Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA).

The aims of pastoral support at Burton:

• To provide support that meets the differing needs of all children so that each child is equipped with the skills to cope with life.

• To support children to address social, spiritual, mental, emotional and physical needs.

• To maintain an atmosphere in which children feel secure, are encouraged in their learning, growth and social development and know that they are valued within a healthy and safe environment.

• To reassure parents/carers their children are being educated in a safe and nurturing environment.

• To encourage pupils to recognise and reflect upon our core values (Friendship, Compassion and Reverence).

• To work with a range of stakeholders, parents, support staff, outreach agencies and other schools to ensure the continuity and progress of individual pupils.

The role of the Pastoral Support Team:

• To support and work alongside parents in addressing pastoral concerns impacting on their child’s learning and development.
• To work with staff in ensuring good pupil support and build upon the caring and respectful relationships that exist between staff, pupils and families.
• To provide specialist counselling to support individual children; listening and talking to children who may need support in a variety of pastoral issues, for example, self-esteem and confidence, bereavement, managing feelings, anxieties/worries, separation and developing social and friendships skills.
• Responding to situations as they arise within school.
• Meeting with parents/carers to discuss issues relating to their child.
• To ‘signpost’ families to outside services for appropriate provision and support.

How does the Pastoral Support Team work?

• Sessions (usually 20-45 minutes) can be individual or in small groups and tailored to the child’s individual needs.

• Sessions are fun and might include role-play, puppets, board games, art and craft, therapeutic or social stories and of course time to talk.

• A pupil’s progress will be reviewed on a half-termly basis.

Contacts:

• Pupils – any child in the school can ask to speak to our Pastoral Support Worker or ELSA if they have a problem or a worry at school or at home.  They can do this by either approaching the team or by asking a member of staff.  A suitable time will then be arranged to meet.
• Parents/carers – if you have a pastoral concern regarding your child then you can phone the school, speak to your child’s class teacher or make an appointment to see Miss Pope via the school office.  Please call the School office on 01202 482588 or email: office@burtonpri.dorset.sch.uk
• School staff – a Pastoral Support Concern form can be completed and then a meeting with the pupil will be arranged depending on particular needs.