Pastoral Support

Helping every child to belong, attend and thrive

At Arden, pastoral support is woven through everyday school life. We know that children learn best when they feel safe, known, valued and connected to their school.

Our approach is built around strong relationships, early identification and timely support. We work closely with children and families to understand what may be getting in the way and to remove barriers to learning, attendance and wellbeing.

Pastoral care isn't something that only happens when there is a problem. It starts with creating a school where every child feels that they belong.

Positive relationships with staff, OPAL Play, Magic Moments, Forest School, MyHappyMind, clubs, responsibilities and the many wider experiences available across school all help children to build friendships, develop confidence and independence, and strengthen their connection with school.

We actively look for opportunities for every child to participate, contribute and experience success. We want every child to know that they are seen, they are valued and they are an important part of the Arden community.

Our pastoral provision is led by Mrs Marley, our Pastoral Manager, supported by Miss Gee, our Learning Mentor.

They work closely with our Inclusion Team, Attendance Lead, Designated Safeguarding Leads, teachers and families to ensure children receive the right support at the right time.

Pastoral care is a whole-school responsibility. All staff receive an extensive programme of ongoing professional development so they are equipped to understand and respond to the needs of our children. This includes training in safeguarding, trauma and attachment, SEND and neurodiversity, emotional regulation, mental health and wellbeing, attendance, behaviour as communication and relational approaches.

This shared understanding helps our staff to recognise emerging needs early, understand the factors that may sit behind a child’s behaviour or attendance and respond consistently and sensitively.

We don't wait for difficulties to become bigger.

Our staff know our children well and work together to identify changes in behaviour, attendance, wellbeing or circumstances that may indicate a child or family needs some additional support.

This might involve:

  • individual support and check-ins with a trusted adult

  • working with children around friendships, emotions, confidence or resilience

  • support with transitions or significant changes

  • working alongside families to understand and overcome barriers to attendance

  • practical support for families experiencing difficulties

  • signposting or referrals to appropriate external services

  • working with other professionals where additional or specialist support is needed

Where support is required, we want it to be purposeful, timely and matched to the individual child.

 

Attendance and wellbeing are closely connected.

Attendance and wellbeing are closely connected. Being in school regularly helps children to build strong relationships, feel part of their class and wider school community, establish positive routines and make the most of every learning opportunity.

When attendance begins to fall, our first question is why? We work with children and families to understand what may be getting in the way and identify what school can do to help. We recognise that barriers to attendance can be different for every child and family, so our response is supportive, individual and focused on finding solutions.

Our pastoral and attendance teams work closely together so that concerns are identified early, support can be put in place quickly and relationships with families remain strong. This might include practical support, regular check-ins, help with routines or working alongside families and other professionals to address wider barriers.

Our aim is always to help children reconnect successfully with school. We want every child to feel known, wanted and expected at Arden every day, because every day in school matters.