Pastoral

Pastoral Intent

The team across Holbeach Bank Academy are dedicated in creating a caring and nurturing environment for our children and families. In supporting our pupils we help enable their continuing success in their learning and in their general well-being, making sure that each child is valued as an individual with unique strengths and individual potential.

We are committed to listening to our children and families and supporting them through aspects like falling out with friends, managing their own behaviour and building resilience attending school on time or may be coping with difficulties being experienced out of school.

We pride ourselves on working closely with families in order to support them alongside partners from outside agencies ensuring families can access the early help they need from the most experienced people.

We support the children in recognising they have a voice and that their opinion matters. Initiatives such as the academy council provide children with an involvement in how their school runs and provides a listening ear from peers as well as from learning mentors and teachers.

The Pastoral leader is available for drop ins and / or meetings that can be arranged at the front office or you can call 01406 423375 and ask to speak to or make an appointment.

Meet the Team

Click the images to see our roles within the team.

Pastoral Offer

There are a number of therapies that the pastoral team offer to break down barriers to learning  and support pupil transitions within the academy.  Children are carefully selected and supported through:

• Lego Therapy : Pupils are encouraged and supported to use team work. They develop language skills to communicate where pieces need to be placed. This often builds into problem solving exercises where clues and instructions are provided ensuring pupils listen carefully and develop trust.
• Draw and Talk : This offers the opportunity for pupils to communicate their feelings and thoughts communicating these through drawings which allows them the opportunity to talk and develop language.  Often when children have experienced trauma or encountered difficult situations this is helpful as it creates a voice.
• ELSA Therapy (Emotional Literacy Support) : ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.

The majority of ELSA work is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. Sessions are fun, we use a range of activities such as: games, role-play with puppets or therapeutic activities such as mindfulness or arts and craft.  ELSA sessions take place in our very own ‘ELSA room’ which provides a calm, safe space for the child to feel supported and nurtured.

• Feelings Casefiles : This is a 12 week intervention programme directed to support SEND pupils with social communication and interaction difficulties.  The programme teaches coping skills to help young people manage anxiety using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) principles. Young people can train to solve Feelings Casefiles led by the adult Lead Detective.
• Play Therapy : This is commissioned by the pastoral team.  An external provider visits the academy and works with identified pupils sharing their voice supporting their next steps. Children who have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) respond well to this approach and it allows the opportunity to build a relationship and talk through worries and feelings, building resilience and finding strategies to deal and process these.

Supporting Mental Health at Holbeach Bank Academy

At Holbeach Bank Academy, your child’s mental health and wellbeing are very important to us. We work hard to create a safe, caring environment where children feel comfortable talking about their feelings.

What we do to help:

• Trained staff are available to support children who may be struggling with their mental health.
• We work closely with specialist services such as Healthy Minds Lincolnshire and CAMHS to make sure children can access the right help when needed.
• We support mental health charities like Young Minds and take part in awareness campaigns such as #HelloYellow.

Our approach:

• We follow Department for Education guidance to promote resilience and wellbeing for all pupils.
• Staff are not mental health experts, but we have clear systems to identify concerns early and refer to professionals when needed.
• We use tools like the Assess–Plan–Do–Review process to provide support.
• We know what local services are available and help families access them when necessary.

For more details, please see our Mental Health & Well-being Policy or speak to a member of staff.

Below are some useful websites: