Here at Widmer End Community Combined School our values of Unity, Trust, Courage, Curiosity, Respect and Kindness are what underpins our ethos of supporting children and their families in every aspect of their lives, whether in school or at home. 

The frontline of Pastoral care always begins with the class teacher and teaching assistants for every child; as they are the ones who have the most direct contact with the children. If it comes to light that a child is unhappy or their emotional wellbeing or mental health is affecting their learning then the parents & Pastoral leader will be informed. 

We have a dedicated Pastoral Leader, Mrs Sarah Munn, who is always available to provide emotional support to our children and their families. Mrs Munn has a strong foundation in emotional literacy, the Zones of Regulation, and supporting children through death, grief and bereavement.  As part of her commitment to providing the best possible pastoral care, she is actively working towards her ELSA qualification and expanding her knowledge of special educational needs.  Mrs Munn works closely with our SENCO and senior leadership team to ensure all pupils receive appropriate pastoral support. She provides direct one-to-one and small group support to children, helping them with emotional regulation, social skills, and wellbeing. Mrs Munn is also available to support staff and families, offering guidance and practical strategies for both ongoing pastoral needs and during times of particular difficulty or change. She can be contacted at smunn@widmerend.bucks.sch.uk or via the school office and is happy to discuss any concerns you may have regarding your child’s wellbeing.  

Below are some of the interventions that we offer to children to help improve their emotional wellbeing and mental health. They help to support them and promote a more stable baseline for their learning and for them to grow.

• ELSA Groups - a more targeted intervention for children who may feel insecure in school or require some help with emotional and social skills.
• Mindfulness - children learn techniques to help us with our mental health.
• Social Stories - for children who struggle with self-awareness and understanding of social expectations 
• Zones of Regulation - to manage self-regulation skills to control behaviours
• Young Carers Group
• Team of Life Group
• Nurture Groups - Small groups of children dedicated to help build resilience
• Child bereavement support