Here at OPA we are proud of our Pastoral Offer.
Our Pastoral Manager, Nicky Bryan-Smith, is a first port of call for parents to liaise with when settling young children into school. She and the Early Years teachers offer a joint home visit to all new starters as a positive welcome and introduction to our working partnership over future years.
We also have a Wellbeing (WEB) Team who work across the Key Stages within school, meeting and greeting families on the playground each morning, supporting a daily check in once classes begin. As needs arise we spend time with pupils who benefit from that bit of extra ‘wellbeing support’.
We are very fortunate to have an Indoor Hub and an Outdoor Hub on the Lane site. We call these Hubs as they are spaces set aside from the classrooms that Help Us Belong.
Children are listened to and supported to explore pertinent social, emotional and mental health matters as they grow, develop and are encouraged to thrive.
Where appreciated Maple, our school Labrador, sometimes helps with this.
Our WEB team can also signpost families and assist them to connect with other organisations which may be helpful such as Young Carers, Family Matters Parenting Courses, Child and Adolescent Mental Health services and other specialist support agencies and charities.
