At Denver VC Primary School, we are committed to supporting not only the academic progress of our children but also their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

This year we will be offering further support through the Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) programme, which will be led by Mrs Blount.

ELSA is a nationally recognised intervention designed to help children develop the emotional skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond. Through individual or small-group sessions, Mrs Blount will support children with a range of areas, including:

• Understanding and managing emotions
• Building confidence and self-esteem
• Developing friendships and social skills
• Coping with change and transitions
• Managing worries and anxieties
• Developing resilience and problem-solving skills

Sessions are tailored to meet the individual needs of children and are delivered in a safe, nurturing and supportive environment. The aim is to help children develop strategies that will enable them to feel happier, more confident and better able to access learning.

Children may be identified for ELSA support through discussions between staff, parents and carers, or as part of our wider pastoral support. If we feel that your child would benefit from ELSA sessions, we will contact you to discuss this further.

We are very fortunate to have Mrs Blount leading this important work and know that many children will benefit from the care, encouragement and support she provides.

If you would like to find out more about ELSA, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs Blount or Mrs Jones.