Pastoral Care
The wellbeing of our children is at the heart of all we do.
Care for our pupils is embedded in our school culture.
We take time to get to know our children.
Our class teachers are usually the first port of call for worries and concerns, and in most cases, they are best placed to offer advice and support.
We also believe a happy, health school community needs to promote and support the wellbeing of everyone – its pupils, staff and parents.
This is why we are working with the Schools Counselling Partnership. The Schools Counselling Partnership (SCP) offers a whole-school approach to emotional health and wellbeing; it specialises in providing therapeutic counselling services supporting children, young people, schools and families.
SCP hold weekly drop-in sessions for pupils, staff and parents. One-to-one sessions are also provided for pupils who need extra support. Mental health is an increasingly complex area and having professional counsellors available is a valuable resource for the school.
Pastoral care is to the fore and emotional issues tend to be picked up early
-A Maple Walk parent speaking to the Good Schools Guide
Reflecting on Spring Term activities
Building Emotional Intelligence at Maple Walk
As we step into March and welcome the fresh energy of spring, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the past month. February was a season of growth at Maple Walk—an exciting and rewarding journey in nurturing emotional intelligence.
- The theme for Children’s Mental Health Week 2025, “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself”, really resonated with the children. They were especially engaged in the collaboration with the Inside Out movies, which sparked many meaningful
conversations.
- In an assembly earlier this term, we explored the role of each emotion, what happens when we avoid our feelings, and how it feels to experience a blend of emotions. The children shared insightful thoughts, with one younger student beautifully explaining how sadness can be linked to holding onto cherished memories that warm our hearts. Many children
continued these discussions outside the assembly, offering even more thoughtful reflections.
- Finally, we had an excellent turnout at the Parent Workshop on Helping Children Navigate Big Feelings & Building Resilience. It was heartwarming to see so many parents actively participating and discussing ways to support their children’s emotional growth. I was thrilled to share practical strategies to help children manage big emotions with confidence.
Top Tips for Parents Supporting your child’s mental health starts at home.
Here are some simple ways to encourage self-awareness and well-being:
✅ Encourage open conversations – Ask your child how they feel and listen without judgement.
✅ Celebrate their strengths – Help them recognise what makes them unique and special.
✅ Model self-care – Show them the importance of looking after mental well-being by practicing mindfulness, relaxation, or taking breaks when needed.
✅ Foster resilience – Teach them that challenges help them grow and that it’s okay to make mistakes.
✅ Create a safe space – Let your child know they are loved, valued, and supported, no matter what.
Keeping your child safe
It’s a big world out there and as your child gets older, you hold their hand less and less as they navigate through it. The best way to protect your child from risk factors is to maintain a close relationship with them and to let them know that they are heard and you take them seriously.
How can parents help?
✅Eat dinner together as often as you can and have regular one-on-one unstructured time with them.
✅Teach them to trust their instincts and to stand up for themselves: it is OK for them to question, disobey and even run away from behaviours that make them feel very uncomfortable.
✅Empower your child to make their own decisions and help them develop good judgement.
✅Finally, talk to your child and reflect on questions together such as- “what do you worry about the most?”, “what does being brave mean?” and “if you got into really big trouble, how do you think I would respond?”
And listen more than you talk!
Supporting Your Child’s Emotional Wellbeing as We Start the New Year
As we return to school after the festive season, it’s common for children (and adults!) to feel a mix of emotions. The excitement of the holidays, family time, and celebrations can sometimes leave us feeling a little flat afterward. The shift from the freedom of the holidays to the structure of school can be challenging, and the cold weather may add an extra layer of discomfort. It’s important to recognize that this adjustment is natural, and with some thoughtful strategies, children can ease into the new year with confidence.
Here are some tips for families to help support emotional wellbeing as we transition back into school:
✅Create a gentle morning routine: Encourage a calm start to the day with activities like stretching, deep breathing, or a peaceful breakfast.
✅Set realistic expectations: Ease back into schoolwork with small, achievable goals and lots of positive reinforcement.
✅Keep physical activity fun: Outdoor play or indoor games help combat the cold and boost mood and energy levels.
✅Talk about feelings: Check in with your child regularly about how they’re feeling— validating emotions can help reduce anxiety.
✅Maintain family time: Balance schoolwork with quality time together, like reading a book or taking a walk, to keep that sense of connection alive.
Schools Counselling Partnership Blog
Our Schools Counselling Partnership therapists are in school each week supporting the whole community and here they share valuable tips and advice with parents.
Admissions
Visit Us
The best way to see the school in action is to book onto an open morning. These events last approximately an hour – you will have an opportunity to meet the Head and have a tour of the school led by the Year Six pupils. We look forward to welcoming you to Maple Walk soon.
