Health & Wellbeing
At Dean Close St John’s, pastoral care is at the very heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a positive, inclusive, and respectful environment where every pupil feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their potential. We recognise that wellbeing is not a one-size-fits-all approach; it’s about building relationships, nurturing growth, and responding to the individual needs of each pupil.
Supporting Every Child’s Wellbeing
We believe that every child is unique, and to help them thrive, we must truly understand and know them. This personal connection is central to supporting their wellbeing and guiding them through the challenges they face. Our form tutors and class teachers build strong bonds with pupils, offering encouragement, guidance, and the right level of challenge for them to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally.
We offer a range of tailored support to ensure each pupil’s needs are met. This includes informal social group support, one-to-one staff guidance, ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) sessions, and professional counselling or psychotherapy when required. We also use data tracking tools, such as Steer, to monitor and adjust our support strategies, ensuring that interventions are targeted and effective.
Developing Emotional Literacy and Resilience
We recognise that emotional literacy, resilience, and social skills are crucial for helping children navigate the ups and downs of school life. Wellbeing lessons are offered in Years 3 and 4 to help pupils understand and manage their emotions. Additionally, as part of our PSHEE curriculum, we focus on developing skills such as resilience, growth mindset, friendship building, and emotional intelligence throughout the school. These lessons provide our pupils with the tools they need to care for themselves and support others.
Understanding Behaviour as Communication
At St John’s, we understand that behaviour is a form of communication. Our staff are trained to recognise the underlying causes of challenging behaviour and respond appropriately, always with care and compassion. By building strong relationships with our pupils and having a deep understanding of child development, we are able to provide consistent and thoughtful support, ensuring every pupil feels heard, understood, and safe.
Extended Childhood
Each stage can present challenges, and we are ready to respond to them. Offering Senior Preparatory classes (Year 7 and 8) allows us to extend childhood while fostering maturity and independence within a nurturing environment as pupils navigate physical and emotional changes. With trusted friends and supportive adults dedicating time to guiding them, they will be well-prepared for the journey ahead.
Collaborating with Families for Wellbeing
Pastoral care is a partnership between school and home. We work closely with parents to ensure that support is consistent and that we are all working together to address any challenges. Through open communication, we help our pupils navigate their school journey with confidence, resilience, and emotional strength, building a foundation for future success.
At Dean Close St John’s, we are dedicated to creating a school environment where wellbeing is prioritised, and every child has the support they need to flourish. Our holistic approach to pastoral care ensures that help is always available when needed, promoting kindness, resilience, and self-awareness throughout every stage of their educational journey.
On-site Health Care Coordinator
To complement this, our on-site Health Care Coordinator is available every day, and the Foundation Wellbeing Lead dedicates one day a week to supporting our community at Dean Close St John’s.