SEMH Provision

At Idle CE Primary School, we are proud of the support we offer for pupils who may find coming to school difficult, including those experiencing emotionally based school avoidance (EBSA). We understand that every child is unique, so we take a flexible, personalised approach to ensure each pupil’s needs are met.

Pastoral Welcome

A member of our pastoral team is available each morning from 8:45am to greet pupils at the school office if entering through the classroom door feels difficult. We support pupils in settling into the school day at their own pace, which may include spending time in our Orchard space. Here, pupils can take part in calm, mindful activities before feeling ready to join their class.

Nurture Breakfast

Mornings can feel busy and overwhelming for some children. Our nurture breakfast offers a quieter, more relaxed start to the day in the Orchard. Pupils can enjoy a light breakfast, engage in calming activities and talk with a trusted adult, helping them feel prepared for a positive start to learning.

Targeted Support and Interventions

We provide a range of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) support to meet a variety of needs. This includes bereavement support, resilience groups, Time to Talk sessions, Lego Therapy, Art Therapy and Talkabout groups. These interventions help pupils build confidence, develop coping strategies and feel supported so they can thrive in school.

These interventions are delivered by our pastoral team: Amy Hoyle (Pastoral Lead), Katie Dunne (Pastoral Support) and Tara Stevens (Pastoral Support).

Further Support

Where additional support is required, we work closely with external agencies to ensure pupils and families receive the best possible help. This may include referrals to services such as the Brathay Trust to support SEMH needs.

We value a multi-agency approach and work in partnership with professionals to provide the right support at the right time for each child.