Introduction

At Guardian Angels’, we believe that every child is a unique gift from God, loved and valued as part of our school family. Guided by our mission statement, ‘To walk in the footsteps of Jesus to Love, Learn and Grow,’ we are committed to nurturing not only academic success, but also the emotional well-being and mental health of every member of our community.

With our faith at our centre, we strive to create a safe, caring and inclusive environment where children feel respected, supported and able to flourish. Inspired by the compassion of Jesus, we encourage kindness, understanding and strong relationships so that all children know they belong.

We are proud to use a Trauma Informed Approach, recognising that children’s experiences can affect how they feel, behave and learn. Through patience, empathy and consistency, we work closely with families to understand individual needs and provide the support children need to feel secure, regulated and ready to learn.

This section of our website offers information about how we promote positive mental health and well-being across school, the support available for children and families, and helpful resources for home. Together, we aim to help every child grow in confidence, resilience and faith, so they can become the very best version of themselves.

Meet our Inclusion Team

SENDCo – Victoria Dalton

Victoria Dalton is our dedicated SENDCo, committed to ensuring that every child is supported to achieve their full potential. She has been a valued member of the Guardian Angels’ RCP staff team for the past six years and brings a wealth of experience to her role.

Before teaching, Victoria worked in business management, developing strong leadership, organisation and communication skills that transfer effectively into supporting children, families and staff within school.

Victoria is a fully qualified teacher and holds the NPQ for SENCOs, demonstrating her specialist knowledge and commitment to inclusive education. As a practising Catholic, Victoria values the importance of faith, compassion and service, and is committed to supporting children and families within the caring ethos of our school community.

Victoria is passionate about working in partnership with families and staff to ensure that all children receive the care, guidance and opportunities they need to thrive.

Inclusion Lead – Beth Leigh

Beth Leigh is our dedicated Inclusion Lead and brings decades of experience working with young children, supporting their development, well-being and individual needs with warmth, patience and expertise.

Beth is our Senior Trauma Informed Practitioner, playing a key role in ensuring that children feel safe, understood and supported within our nurturing school environment. She is highly skilled in building positive relationships and helping children overcome barriers to learning and emotional well-being.

Beth is also qualified to deliver a range of child-centred therapeutic approaches, including Rainbow Therapy, Sand Play Therapy and Lego Therapy, providing valuable opportunities for children to express themselves, develop confidence and build resilience.

As a practising Catholic, Beth values the importance of faith, compassion and service, and reflects these values in the care and support she offers to children and families each day.

Beth is passionate about helping every child feel included, valued and able to flourish within our school community.

Trauma Informed Practitioner - Jenny Shine

Jenny Shine is a valued member of our team who is Trauma Informed trained and a qualified Forest School Leader. She is highly skilled in working with all children and has particular expertise in supporting those with additional needs.

Jenny provides nurturing, inclusive support that helps children feel safe, confident and ready to learn. Through her calm approach and outdoor learning experiences, she helps children develop resilience, independence and positive well-being.

Therapy Dog - Pip

Pip is our friendly school therapy dog and a much-loved member of our school family. She is a fully trained Cavapoo who provides comfort, companionship and calm support to our children each day.

Pip helps children to feel relaxed, confident and happy in school. Whether listening during reading time, offering a gentle cuddle or simply being a calm presence, Pip plays an important role in supporting children’s well-being.

SENDCo – Victoria Dalton

Victoria Dalton is our dedicated SENDCo, committed to ensuring that every child is supported to achieve their full potential. She has been a valued member of the Guardian Angels’ RCP staff team for the past six years and brings a wealth of experience to her role.

Before teaching, Victoria worked in business management, developing strong leadership, organisation and communication skills that transfer effectively into supporting children, families and staff within school.

Victoria is a fully qualified teacher and holds the NPQ for SENCOs, demonstrating her specialist knowledge and commitment to inclusive education. As a practising Catholic, Victoria values the importance of faith, compassion and service, and is committed to supporting children and families within the caring ethos of our school community.

Victoria is passionate about working in partnership with families and staff to ensure that all children receive the care, guidance and opportunities they need to thrive.

School Therapy Dog

Pip is our friendly school therapy dog and a much-loved member of our school family. She is a fully trained Cavapoo who provides comfort, companionship and calm support to our children each day.

Pip helps children to feel relaxed, confident and happy in school. Whether listening during reading time, offering a gentle cuddle or simply being a calm presence, Pip plays an important role in supporting children’s well-being.

Trauma Informed Practice

Our Trauma Informed Approach

At Guardian Angels’ RC Primary School, we are proud to use a Trauma Informed Approach as part of our commitment to caring for every child as a unique and valued child of God. Rooted in our mission to walk in the footsteps of Jesus to Love, Learn and Grow, this approach helps us to create a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where all children can flourish.

A Trauma Informed Approach recognises that some children may have experienced challenges or difficulties that can affect the way they feel, behave and learn. Rather than asking “What is wrong with this child?” we ask “What may have happened to this child, and how can we help?” This understanding allows us to respond with compassion, patience and support.

How This Benefits Children

By using a Trauma Informed Approach, we help children to:

• feel safe, secure and valued in school
• build trusting relationships with adults and peers
• develop confidence and self-esteem
• learn to recognise and regulate emotions
• improve focus, behaviour and readiness to learn
• build resilience and positive coping strategies
• achieve both socially and academically

When children feel emotionally safe, they are better able to engage in learning and reach their full potential.

How We Use Zones of Regulation

Across school, we incorporate the Zones of Regulation to help children understand their feelings, energy levels and emotions. Children learn that all feelings are normal and that different emotions can be placed into colour zones:

• Blue Zone – tired, sad, unwell, low energy
• Green Zone – calm, happy, ready to learn
• Yellow Zone – worried, excited, frustrated, restless
• Red Zone – angry, overwhelmed, out of control

Children are taught that all feelings are OK.  We provide strategies to help them move towards the Green Zone, where they are most ready for learning. This may include breathing exercises, movement breaks, talking to a trusted adult, sensory tools or quiet reflection.

Practical Differences You Will See in Our School

Our Trauma Informed Approach is visible throughout school life. Parents and visitors may notice:

• Calm zones or regulation spaces in classrooms where children can reset safely
• Clear, calm walls with purposeful displays that reduce overwhelm and distraction
• Visual reminders of the Zones of Regulation and self-help strategies
• Predictable routines and consistent expectations
• Warm greetings and strong relationships between staff and pupils
• Adults using calm voices and supportive language
• Opportunities for movement breaks, sensory support and reflection
• Restorative conversations to repair relationships after difficulties

These practical changes help children feel secure, reduce anxiety and create classrooms where learning can thrive.

How This May Differ from Other Schools

Our Trauma Informed Approach places a strong emphasis on understanding the reasons behind behaviour and responding in a supportive way. This means we focus on:

• building positive relationships first
• using calm, consistent responses
• teaching emotional regulation skills
• supporting children to repair and restore relationships
• recognising individual needs rather than using a “one size fits all” approach
• working closely with families and outside agencies where needed

We believe behaviour is a form of communication, and children often need guidance and support rather than punishment alone.

Supporting Our Catholic Ethos

Our Trauma Informed Approach reflects the teachings of Jesus through love, compassion, forgiveness and service to others. As a Catholic school, we believe every child deserves dignity, understanding and the opportunity to begin each day anew.

By showing empathy, patience and kindness, we help children experience the values of the Gospel in action. We encourage children to care for one another, to make positive choices and to know that they are always loved and never defined by mistakes.

Together, through faith and understanding, we help every child to Love, Learn and Grow.

MHST Worker

Dedicated Mental Health Support

At Guardian Angels’ RC Primary School, we recognise that some children may need additional emotional support at different times in their lives. To help meet these needs, we are fortunate to have a dedicated Mental Health Support Worker who visits school on a weekly basis.

Our Mental Health Support Worker works with individual children, providing tailored support in a safe, caring and confidential environment. This may include helping children to understand their feelings, manage worries or anxieties, build confidence, develop coping strategies and improve emotional well-being.

Sessions are planned carefully to meet each child’s individual needs and may be delivered through discussion, practical activities, therapeutic approaches or emotional regulation strategies.

This valuable support allows children to feel heard, understood and equipped with the tools they need to thrive both in school and beyond. We work closely with families and staff to ensure children receive joined-up care and the best possible support.

As part of our Catholic ethos, we believe in caring for the whole child — mind, body and spirit — and ensuring every child knows they are loved, valued and never alone.

Pastoral Interventions

Pastoral Interventions

At Guardian Angels’ RC Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional well-being, confidence and personal development of every child. Our pastoral interventions provide additional care and guidance for children who may need support with friendships, emotions, attendance, behaviour, confidence or family circumstances.

These interventions are carefully planned and tailored to meet individual needs, helping children to feel safe, valued and ready to learn. Support may be short-term or longer-term depending on the needs of the child.

Our pastoral interventions may include:

• trusted adult check-ins and mentoring
• friendship and social skills groups
• emotional literacy and self-esteem support
• anxiety and worry management strategies
• nurture and regulation sessions
• attendance and transition support
• bereavement or family change support
• lunchtime and playtime support
• restorative conversations following difficulties

We work closely with children, families and outside agencies where needed to ensure the right support is in place at the right time.

As a Catholic school, our pastoral care is rooted in the values of compassion, dignity and service. We believe every child should feel known, supported and loved, and we strive to help each child grow in confidence so they can fully Love, Learn and Grow.