Westgate CP School has a strong pastoral team, made up of all staff who care deeply about our children and their wider families.  We also have specialist staff who are trained as Emotional Literacy Support Assistants who can offer tailored interventions to children who need additional support.

ELSA Assistants

Mrs T Spencer                 Miss R Clifton

ELSAs are emotional literacy support assistants. They are teaching assistants who have had special training from educational psychologists to support the emotional development of children and young people in school.

ELSAs help children and young people learn to understand their emotions and respect the feelings of those around them. They provide the time and space for pupils to think about their personal circumstances and how they manage them. Pupils are helped to find their own solutions rather than ELSAs telling them what to do.

Children chosen for ELSA support are referred via their teacher or a professional within the school. However, a parent/carer could suggest their child requires ELSA support. Our staff will consider which children are most suitable to be successfully supported within the ELSA programme. Most ELSA programmes will last for 6 to 12 weeks, helping the pupil to learn some specific new skills or coping strategies. Clear programme aims (SMART targets) need to be set early on and each session has an objective – something the ELSA wants to help the pupil understand or achieve. ELSA sessions only take place when permission has been given by the parent/carer.

To discuss your child receiving ELSA support, please contact Mrs Spencer or Miss Clifton email: elsa@westgatecp.co.uk