ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) 

Here at Brize Norton, we understand the significance of children being happy in order for them to gain the best learning experience out of school. This means teaching all children to recognise their emotions, recognise that it is ok to feel that way and ultimately support them with strategies to manage them safely and respectfully.

As adults, we do this through our daily interactions with children as we believe in the power of trusting relationships and connectedness with our young people. We have also implemented the whole school use of Zones of Regulation, a tool which develops awareness of feelings, energy and alertness levels while exploring a variety of tools and strategies for regulation, prosocial skills, self-care, and overall wellness. We teach from a comprehensive PSHE curriculum delivered weekly which encompasses mindfulness as well as ensuring that everyone in our community lives out our motto of SHINE (Strive, Help, Inspire, Nurture, Excel).

We do recognise that at times some children require additional support with their emotions due to a variety of different factors. Miss Glenister is our ELSA, an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. She has completed the recognised ELSA training course which is aimed specifically at Teaching Assistants in schools. The course covers a range of subjects and skills such as social skills, emotions, bereavement, social stories and therapeutic stories, anger management, self-esteem, counselling skills such as solution focus and friendship. Miss Glenister has dedicated time weekly within the school day to support children who may require intervention at the time. Staff can make referrals to her for a particular need, where she will then tailor a 6 -12 week programme to best support the individual. This will always be done with the consent of the child’s parents.

The ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) intervention was originally developed within Southampton, then Hampshire, by Sheila Burton, Educational Psychologist. It was designed to build the capacity of schools to support the emotional needs of their pupils from within their own resources. Here at Brize Norton we have seen the benefits of having a trained ELSA on the team to provide that additional level of support for our children when needed.