Calm Start

A small group of invited children meet every morning to welcome each other and complete a calming activity to settle in readiness for the school day.

Protective Behaviours

A safety awareness and resilience building programme which helps children to recognise any situation where they feel worried or unsafe and explores practical ways to keep safe and identify support networks for times when we need help.

Zones of Regulation

A whole school approach to developing emotional literacy. The Zones of Regulation are used to teach children self-control and how to self-regulate using strategies or tools to help them move between the 4 coloured zones.

Blue – sad, upset – rest.

Green – happy, calm – ready to go.

Yellow – nervous, worried – slow down.

Red – angry, aggressive - stop.

Treehouse Lunch Club

A targeted provision for children who find lunchtimes difficult or a challenge and children with medical needs. It provides a calm space to read, draw or play games.

Attachment and Trauma Awareness project

Staff have received training in attachment theory. We are taking part in DSPL9’s 3 year Attachment Project. Mrs Carvalho is the attachment lead in school.

Classrooms provide safe spaces – a cosy corner, where a child can take themselves when they need to self-regulate into a calmer state. Children can also use Beechfield Bungalow (our pastoral support room) when they need some support to co-regulate with – Miss Ward or Mrs Carvalho.

5 Keys to Wellbeing

Focussing on small improvements in wellbeing to help decrease some mental health problems and help pupils to flourish:

Be active, Give, Connect, Keep learning, Take notice.

Children's Parliament

Children meet to discuss specific issues. During these sessions pupils have the opportunity to voice their ideas, thoughts and feelings. Year 6 children will take notes and feed these back to the leadership team who will implement ideas where possible and feed back to children in assembly and to parents/carers in future newsletters.

Herts Steps Approach

A therapeutic behaviour approach endorsed by HCC. It uses techniques to de-escalate a situation before a crisis occurs and, where a crisis does occur, it adopts strategies to reduce the risk of harm.

Growth Mindset

Fixed Mindset vs Growth Mindset. We develop a growth mindset by embracing challenges outside what we believe we are capable of and persevering, not giving up and learning from our mistakes.

Visual Timetable

Every classroom has a visual timetable that enables children to understand the structure and sequence of the school day which can reduce anxiety levels. Pictures are used to represent the lessons and activities.