Supporting Families:

Welcome to our parents and carers,

At Westacre, we understand how important it is to look after our mental health and create healthy coping strategies for when times can be tricky and learn how to develop a positive outlook for life. The teaching staff work closely with the Pastoral Team to recognise any signs or changes in behaviour that may indicate further support is needed with your child.

Wellbeing is an integral part of the school day at Westacre.  Every morning, the children are welcomed at the school gates by staff and by their class teacher when they enter their classroom. After lunch, every class takes part in Wellbeing team with a calming activity to help them prepare for the afternoon. 

We are very proud that our school has started it’s journey to become a Trauma Informed school , with Mrs Doolin and Mrs Reynolds recently completing their diplomas. This means that we can better support our children to flourish in school, supporting their mental health.

Meet the Pastoral Team:

Mrs Brownlee, Pastoral Lead 

Mrs Brownlee has worked in Education for over 15 years. She specialises in children’s wellbeing and looks at the holistic needs of children. She has a primary school background is passionate about yoga and meditation and the positive effects it can have for children. She has also completed the TQUK counselling Diploma and is one of our Mental Health First Aiders. Mrs Brownlee leads the Well Being after school club at Westacre, which provides a safe and calm environment for the children to relax and talk to each other.

Miss Allan, Year 5 Pastoral Assistant

Miss Allan completed her studies at the University of Worcester where she qualified as a children’s social worker. She is one of our Autism Awareness Mentors and can provide support to staff and parents. Miss Allan is trained in Lego Therapy and is our school specialist. Miss Allan is one of our Mental Health First Aiders. She is passionate about the learning and well-being of children and ensuring that all children feel safe, happy and secure.

Mrs Barlow, Year 6 Pastoral Assistant 

Mrs Barlow has been working at Westacre for seven years and currently works with our year 6 children. She is currently working towards her degree in Primary Education. Mrs Barlow has fantastic expertise supporting children with complex needs. She ensures that the classroom is an inclusive, nurturing environment for all children. Mrs Barlow in particular has significant knowledge and experience of working with children with ADHD. Mrs Barlow is also trained in Lego Therapy and provides this intervention to the children in her year group. 

What we do:

The Pastoral Team provide a variety of Social and Emotional interventions to support your child should they need additional support at Westacre.

These interventions include:

• Managing my emotions: Developing strategies to focus on controlling our anger in an appropriate way
• Coping with our worries: Exploring our anxieties and how they impact our wellbeing.
• Self Esteem: Identifying positive attributes, promoting positive self-worth.
• Social Skills: How we interact with our peers.
• Art Therapy: Expressing our emotions through art.
• Lunch Club: Providing a safe and nurturing environment promoting calmness and wellbeing.
• Positive Journalling: Expressing our creative selves through journalling.
• Autism Awareness: Understanding how my autism affects me. 
• ADHD Awareness: Understanding of how ADHD affects me. 
• Lego Therapy: A social skills based intervention. 
• Expressing my feelings: Supporting children with sharing their feelings. 

Should you feel that additional support would benefit your child, please speak to your child's class teacher or the Pastoral Lead (Mrs Brownlee), who would be happy to discuss further. 

Take a look at Lunch Club

Examples of some of our children engaging in Pastoral interventions 

After School Club

The Pastoral Team also run their own Wellbeing Club, taking place on Wednesday 3 pm – 4 pm. This provides pupils with the opportunity to have a weekly check in with both peers and the Pastoral Team, develop new friendships and learn strategies to promote their Wellbeing.

At Wellbeing club, the children will engage in activities such as:

• Making mindfulness bookmarks,
• Positive posters
• Sensory Bottles
• Calming Meditations
• Dream Catchers

At Westacre, we also work with external agencies to support your child. Should you need more information on how to access this support, please contact Mrs Reynolds via the school office:

School Counsellor

Debbie Grice-Griffin is a qualified counsellor and an accredited member of the National Counselling Society (NCS).

Debbie works to the National Counselling Society’s Code of Ethics and incorporates these in all of her counselling work and holds an enhanced DBS.

Working with children Debbie helps them explore their emotions and feelings, using toys, books, art or talking therapies, this enables children to understand, talk and be open.

Wellbeing and Emotional Support Practitioner

Charlotte works for the charity Onside who provide children and young people with the skills and techniques to better manage their own emotional wellbeing and improve their confidence and self-esteem. Charlotte is predominately based at Droitwich Spa High School, however, has weekly time with us in providing 1:1 support with our year 7 children who would benefit from additional help.

What is Early Help?

Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem arises. This could be at any point in a child's life. Anyone can provide Early Help- you don't need to be an expert or a professional. 

Please access the links below for further information

Dear Parents/Carers,

At Westacre Middle School we recognise the challenges that families face in bringing up children.

There may be times when you need extra help and support. If this is the case, please come and talk to us. Call the office on 01905 772795 and ask to speak to Mrs Brownlee (Pastoral Lead) Mrs Doolin (Deputy Head) or Miss Brighton (SENCO) or ask for a return call. 

We always want to work with all of our families and we encourage parents/carers to contact us anytime you are worried.

There is lots of support we can offer in school, however, we also work with a lot of local and national organisations that can offer help at home. Attached is our Early help offer. We do know it sometimes can be difficult to find and access the right support so we have put some useful links below. The Starting well partnership is always a good place to start (see link below) We have also categorised some areas of support that you may find easier to access.

The WEST team recently delivered a building resilience in children workshop. 

Lots of strategies and ideas were discussed. Please click on the link below for helpful resources and links to websites for more information.