At Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School, nurture is at the heart of everything we do, and all classes provide a strong foundation of emotional support for every pupil. Teachers and support staff create calm, predictable environments where children feel safe and valued. Daily routines, positive relationships, and consistent expectations help pupils feel secure, while strategies such as morning check-ins, emotion coaching, and the use of calming spaces allow children to express and manage their feelings effectively. Staff model empathy, actively listen, and use praise and encouragement to build confidence and resilience. Opportunities for collaborative learning, circle time, and reflection further support pupils in developing social skills and emotional understanding.
Our SEMH support builds upon this strong universal provision, ensuring that children who need additional help receive targeted, personalised support. We recognise that emotional wellbeing is fundamental to successful learning, and our approach ensures every child is supported to thrive.
Targeted SEMH Support
For pupils requiring additional support, we offer a range of carefully planned interventions:
- ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant):
We are proud to have a trained ELSA (Mrs Fisher) who works closely with pupils on a one-to-one or small group basis. She delivers a range of specialist interventions including Drawing and Talking, Sand Therapy, regular check-ins, and supportive morning greetings to help children feel settled and ready to learn. Through these structured and nurturing sessions, children develop key emotional skills such as understanding and managing feelings, building self-esteem, developing coping strategies, and improving social interactions. These sessions are tailored to each child’s needs, ensuring meaningful progress and lasting impact.
- The Den:
The Den is a dedicated, nurturing space where pupils can access focused SEMH support in a calm and supportive environment. Children are regularly assessed to ensure that provision is carefully matched to their needs, and pupils attend sessions in The Den only when this targeted support is appropriate and beneficial. It provides small group interventions for children who may need additional help with emotional regulation, confidence, or social skills. Through carefully planned activities, pupils are supported to build resilience, develop positive communication, and strengthen their ability to manage challenges. The Den offers a safe place where children can reflect, reset, and gain the skills they need to reintegrate successfully into the classroom.
Additional Approaches
Alongside these key provisions, we also:
- Deliver small group interventions focusing on friendship skills, emotional regulation, and confidence-building
- Provide regular check-ins and mentoring for pupils needing additional emotional support
- Use restorative approaches to support positive behaviour and relationships
- Work closely with families to ensure consistency between home and school
- Liaise with external professionals, including educational psychologists and wellbeing services, where appropriate
A Nurturing and Inclusive Environment
Our comprehensive SEMH provision ensures that any barriers to learning are identified early and addressed effectively. By combining high-quality classroom nurture with targeted support, we empower pupils to develop emotional literacy, resilience, and confidence. As a result, children at Sir Alexander Fleming Primary School flourish not only academically, but also as happy, secure, and well-rounded individuals ready to succeed in the wider world.