St. NicholasCatholic Primary School
‘Love one another, as I have loved you’
Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
Helping Every Child to Flourish
At St Nicholas, caring for the whole child is at the heart of who we are. Our mission, “Love one another, as I have loved you,” shapes the relationships we build, the support we provide and the way we help every child to feel safe, valued and part of our school family.
We know that children learn best when they feel happy, safe, understood and ready to learn. Wellbeing and pastoral care therefore run through everyday school life - from the relationships children have with trusted adults, to our curriculum, safeguarding practice and more individual support when a child or family needs it.
A Safe, Calm and Nurturing School
Strong relationships are at the heart of our approach. Staff know our children and families well, helping us to notice when something changes and to respond early.
Children are encouraged to talk about how they are feeling and know that there are adults in school they can turn to. Pupil voice helps us understand children's experiences of school and identify anything that may be affecting their wellbeing, learning or sense of belonging.
Our approach is calm, relational and nurturing. We recognise that behaviour can be a form of communication and seek to understand what may be happening for a child, particularly where there are additional needs or barriers to wellbeing.
We believe in regulation before reflection: helping a child to feel calm and safe before supporting them to think about what has happened, repair relationships and move forward with a fresh start.
Supporting Emotional & Mental Wellbeing
Children may need different kinds of support at different times. Our approach is graduated, so that support can increase or change according to the individual child and their circumstances.
For many children, support comes through excellent relationships with their class teacher and familiar adults, a predictable and inclusive classroom environment and opportunities to develop their emotional understanding through the curriculum.
Where more support is needed, this may include nurture provision, individual or small-group work, MindMate support or therapeutic counselling through Catholic Care. We work closely with parents and carers throughout and involve external professionals where this would benefit the child.
Our commitment to children's health and wellbeing has also been recognised through our Healthy Schools Beacon Status.
Knowing When a Child Needs Help
We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing.
Staff consider what may be creating a barrier for an individual child and what will help to reduce it. Information from children, families, staff, safeguarding information and the My Health My School survey helps us understand needs and continually develop our provision.
Where concerns emerge, our pastoral, safeguarding and inclusion systems work together so that children do not fall between different areas of support.
Notice → Listen → Understand → Support → Review
This allows us to provide the right level of help while continuing to review whether it is making a difference.
Learning about Wellbeing
Supporting wellbeing is not only about responding when something goes wrong. We want children to develop the knowledge, language and skills to understand themselves, build healthy relationships and know how to seek help.
Our You, Me and PSHE curriculum is enhanced through POL-Ed, PSHE Association resources, specialist visitors such as D:Side and Mindmate, and sessions with our local PCSO. Through Life to the Full, children also receive age-appropriate Relationships and Sex Education rooted in our Catholic understanding of the dignity and value of every person.
Children learn about physical and mental wellbeing, relationships, personal safety, online safety, healthy choices and the wider world. Our curriculum is reviewed in response to the needs of our children and emerging issues within the community.
Belonging, Attendance & Behaviour
We want every child to feel that they belong at St Nicholas.
Our approach to behaviour is rooted in our Catholic values of dignity, respect, forgiveness and care. Expectations remain high for every child, but where a child is experiencing a barrier to meeting those expectations, we seek to understand and support the underlying need.
Attendance is part of this pastoral picture too. We believe every day in school matters, and work closely with families where attendance becomes a concern. Where SEND, medical needs, mental health or family circumstances create additional barriers, we work with families and other professionals to find appropriate and sustainable support.
Our aim is always partnership rather than simply responding to a number on an attendance register.
Pupil Voice & Leadership
Children play an active part in making St Nicholas a happy, caring and inclusive place.
Through groups including our Wellbeing Ambassadors, School Council, Eco Warriors, E-Safety Team, Chaplaincy Team and Mini Vinnies, Year 6 Prefects etc.. pupils have meaningful opportunities to share their views, support others, lead change and contribute to the wider community.
These experiences help children develop confidence, responsibility and an understanding that their voice can make a difference.
Experiences, Enrichment & Belonging
Wellbeing is also about giving children opportunities to discover what they enjoy, develop confidence and experience success beyond the classroom.
Clubs, residentials, trips, themed weeks, visitors and other enrichment opportunities form an important part of life at St Nicholas. We work deliberately to make these opportunities accessible to all, including children who may otherwise experience financial or other barriers to participation.
We want every child to leave us with experiences that have helped them develop their interests, relationships, independence and confidence.
Keeping Children Safe
Safeguarding underpins everything we do.
All staff are trained to recognise concerns and know how to act. Our safeguarding team works closely with children and families and, where appropriate, with the school nursing team, social care, our PCSO and other local and specialist services.
Safety is also woven through the curriculum. Children progressively learn about online safety, healthy relationships, personal boundaries, community safety, recognising risk and how and where to seek help.
Above all, we want every child to know:
There is always someone who will listen.
There is always someone who will help.
Working in Partnership with Families
Parents and carers know their children best, and we value open and trusting relationships with our families.
Sometimes a child simply needs a little extra reassurance in school. At other times, a family may be facing circumstances that require more sustained support. We listen, work alongside families and, when appropriate, help them access additional services through Early Help and our network of external partners.
Whether support comes from the class teacher, our pastoral and inclusion teams, MindMate, Catholic Care or another professional, our focus remains the same: what does this child and family need, and how can we help?
Love in Action
Our approach to wellbeing and pastoral care cannot be separated from our Catholic identity.
Through Catholic Social Teaching, prayer, RSE, PSHE, pupil leadership and everyday school life, children learn about dignity, responsibility, solidarity, service and care for others.
We want children not only to know that they are loved and valued, but to recognise their responsibility to show that same love and care to others.
That is what wellbeing and pastoral care ultimately means at St Nicholas: knowing our children, listening to them, standing alongside our families and creating a community in which every child has the opportunity to flourish.
“Love one another, as I have loved you.”
