Our Pastoral Support
At Parkwood Academy we’re committed to nurturing not just academic success, but the overall well-being of every child. All staff are committed to ensuring every pupil feels happy, safe, and supported throughout their primary school journey. However we also have some specific staff who are here to support children who may need some additional support.
We have a comprehensive approach that includes:
- Wellbeing Practitioner: Our practitioner works proactively with individuals and groups to develop positive emotional regulation, resilience, and social skills. They provide practical tools and strategies to help children navigate everyday challenges.
- Nurture Practitioner: Our Nurture Practitioner work with a small group of children daily, on social and emotional development. Our practitioners are fully trained using and following Nurture UK www.nurtureuk.org.
- Mental Health Ambassadors: These trained staff members are a friendly, accessible point of contact for children and families who may be concerned about a child’s mental health. They offer a listening ear, guidance, and can signpost to further support both within and outside of school.
- School Counsellor: We offer confidential, one-on-one sessions with our qualified school counsellor. This provides a safe space for children to explore their feelings and work through more complex issues in a supportive, therapeutic environment.
- HUB provision: We have an additional resource provision for children with complex needs whereby the mainstream classroom is not always the appropriate place for learning for these children. The children learn for part of their day through a sensory curriculum.
- Sensory Room: We have a sensory room where some children are able to take measured movement breaks with an adult to meet their needs.
- WIN Room: What I Need (WIN) room provides a welcome breakout space for children to take part in interventions throughout the school day. This space is also used for children who struggle in the playground at break and lunchtime. In this space children are supported by an adult to play games and learn vital social and turntaking skills from Y1-Y6
- Attendance Officer: Our attendance officer monitors pupil attendance closely and works in partnership with families to overcome any barriers that may prevent a child from regularly attending school. They are dedicated to ensuring every child attends school regularly and barriers are removed.
- SENCO: Our SENCo leads the provision for children with special educational needs and this also includes any medical needs and care plans. They work with teachers, parents, and external professionals to identify and support learners ensuring they have the resources and interventions they need to succeed and thrive in our school.
Our pastoral team works closely with teachers and parents to create a strong network of care, ensuring every child has the best possible foundation to thrive. We believe that happy, healthy children are the most successful learners.
At our school, we take a relational approach to behaviour, grounded in therapeutic strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of every child.
We understand that behaviour is a form of communication, and our staff are trained to respond with empathy, consistency, and compassion. By building trusting relationships and creating a safe, nurturing environment, we help children feel secure, valued, and understood.
This approach is underpinned by the belief that “you don’t get children to behave better by making them feel worse; when children feel better, they behave better.” Staff receive regular training linked to therapeutic thinking and strategies so that this approach aligns with our values and culture.
Rather than focusing solely on consequences, we work proactively to teach self-regulation, resilience, and social skills, ensuring that all children have the support they need to thrive both emotionally and academically.