Mrs Davison and Mrs Drodge

We are the Pupil and Family Support Team at Oak Lodge. Our role is to support pupils and families in developing and sustaining social, emotional, and mental health needs, promoting health and wellbeing, and facilitating access to school and learning. We provide pastoral support for any issues that families may face in supporting their children, either at home or at school, and can signpost to other services if required.

We are always happy to speak with parents/carers, and you can contact us via the school reception. If you wish to discuss personal matters or need support completing forms (e.g., DLA/PIP), we can arrange a meeting with one of us at your convenience. We recognize that everyone experiences challenges in life, and there are times when additional support can be beneficial.

We host termly coffee mornings where parents/carers can attend for informal chats and advice.

PASTORAL SUPPORT/ELSA

We are both trained ELSAs and Mental Health First Aiders, able to support children on a weekly basis for short or extended periods. This support can address issues such as anxiety, self-esteem, anger management, and empathy. Most sessions are conducted one-on-one, although there may be group sessions at times, particularly for developing friendship skills.

Sessions take place in private settings and aim to be fun and creative. While we as ELSAs cannot 'fix' problems, we provide emotional support to help children learn skills and strategies to manage challenges independently. We take pride in establishing friendly, warm relationships with children, allowing them the time needed to feel safe sharing their thoughts and feelings.

We also operate a lunch club for children who find playground interactions challenging. Children are welcome to drop in as needed, enjoying a quieter environment where they receive support and encouragement to develop their social, communication, and interaction skills.