ELSA

Mr Mollard is our ELSA teacher. ELSAs are teachers or teaching assistants who have had special training from educational psychologists to support the emotional development of children and young people in school.

What happens in ELSA sessions?

 ELSA sessions help pupils develop coping skills to deal with life’s challenges. It is very much a respectful relationship where the pupil can feel heard and listened to. ELSA is a supporting role and isn't about fixing pupils but helping them find those coping strategies and understanding of their feelings.

ELSA acknowledges that children and young people learn best when they feel happier and their emotional needs are being addressed.

The initiative was developed and supported by educational psychologists who used knowledge of how children develop socially and emotionally and apply this knowledge to the needs of pupils.

The role title of ELSA may only be taken by someone who:

• Has attended a full ELSA training course.
• Regularly attends supervision groups led by educational psychologists.
• Currently, are developing bespoke programmes to support the emotional needs of children in their school.

ELSAs are trained to plan and deliver programmes of support to pupils in their school who may be experiencing temporary or long term additional emotional needs.

A lot of work that ELSAs do will be on an individual basis with one child, however, there are cases where group sessions may be appropriate such as when working on social skills and friendship skills.

If this is something you think your child needs to access then please speak to your child's class teacher