Feeling Safe, Valued and Supported

At Ribbon Academy, the emotional health, wellbeing and personal development of every child are fundamental to our inclusive ethos. We believe that children learn best when they feel safe, valued, respected and supported, and we are committed to ensuring that every pupil develops a strong sense of belonging within our school community.

We recognise that children and young people, including those with SEND, may experience social, emotional or mental health needs at different points in their lives. These may impact upon their wellbeing, relationships, behaviour, attendance, confidence or engagement with learning. Through early identification, positive relationships and effective partnership working with families and professionals, we ensure that children receive the support they need to thrive.

Our school promotes a nurturing, relational and inclusive culture where emotional wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility. The Headteacher, senior leaders and all staff continually monitor pupils’ wellbeing through daily interactions, pastoral support, pupil voice activities, attendance monitoring and regular communication with families. This enables concerns to be identified early and appropriate support to be put in place.

We maintain robust safeguarding, child protection and behaviour policies, which are reviewed regularly to ensure they continue to meet the needs of our pupils. Our approach to behaviour is underpinned by positive relationships, restorative practice, high expectations and an understanding that behaviour is often a form of communication.

As a Rights Respecting School, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) is embedded throughout our policies, curriculum and daily practice. We empower children to understand their rights, respect the rights of others and become active, responsible members of society.

Our Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Offer

Ribbon Academy provides a comprehensive range of support to promote positive mental health, emotional wellbeing and resilience, including:

• Access to Place2Be and Place2Talk services.
• Support from the Educational Psychology Service (EPS), Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and other specialist agencies where appropriate.
• Social skills, friendship, emotional literacy, self-esteem and self-regulation interventions.
• Individual and small-group wellbeing programmes.
• Nurture is an embedded school-wide approach
• Access to The Cubbie, our dedicated nurture and wellbeing provision.
• Lunchtime support and friendship groups where required.
• Pastoral mentoring and trusted adult support.
• Enhanced transition support for vulnerable pupils.
• Opportunities for pupil voice and participation in decision-making.
• Family support and guidance through partnerships with external agencies.

Nurture Provision

Nurture is a key element of our inclusive approach and reflects our belief that positive relationships, emotional wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging are fundamental to successful learning. Our nurture provision is designed to ensure that children feel safe, valued and understood, enabling them to engage successfully with school life and achieve their full potential.

Drawing upon the six principles of nurture, we recognise that children’s social and emotional development is as important as their academic progress. Through a relational and child-centred approach, we support pupils in developing confidence, resilience, emotional literacy, self-regulation and positive relationships with others.

Our nurture provision may include:

• Individual pastoral support and mentoring.
• Emotional wellbeing interventions.
• Social skills and friendship groups.
• Support with emotional regulation and self-management strategies.
• Structured transition programmes.
• Trusted adult support.
• Family liaison and partnership working.
• Access to specialist services and external agencies where appropriate.

We recognise that children may require additional nurture support for a wide variety of reasons, including anxiety, bereavement, friendship difficulties, family changes, low self-esteem, attendance concerns or periods of increased vulnerability. Support is carefully tailored to individual needs and reviewed regularly to ensure positive outcomes.

The Cubbie

The Cubbie is a key part of our inclusive and nurturing provision. It provides a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where children can access emotional and pastoral support, develop positive relationships and strengthen the skills needed to flourish both in school and beyond.

The provision supports children who may be experiencing anxiety, friendship difficulties, bereavement, family changes, challenges with self-regulation, low confidence or other social, emotional and mental health needs. Through trusted adult relationships, nurturing interventions and personalised support, The Cubbie helps children to develop resilience, confidence, emotional literacy and a positive sense of self.

Support within The Cubbie may include individual mentoring, small-group interventions, restorative conversations, wellbeing check-ins, emotional regulation strategies and bespoke pastoral support. The provision is designed to complement classroom learning and enable pupils to engage successfully in all aspects of school life.

Dedicated Wellbeing Spaces

Alongside The Cubbie, we provide dedicated wellbeing spaces throughout school where children can access support in a calm, confidential and nurturing environment. These spaces are used for pastoral interventions, therapeutic support, counselling, mentoring and wellbeing activities that help children feel supported, understood and ready to learn.

We recognise that emotional wellbeing is central to academic success and view support for social and emotional development as an essential part of our work.

Place2Be

We are proud to work in partnership with Place2Be, whose mental health professionals form an integral part of our school community. This award-winning service provides specialist support for pupils, families and staff.

Our Place2Be provision includes:

• Place2Talk, allowing children to access support when they have worries or concerns.
• One-to-one counselling, providing weekly therapeutic support through talking, creative activities and play-based approaches.
• Group work programmes focusing on friendship, resilience, self-esteem, emotional regulation, transition and bullying.
• Parent and family support, helping families navigate challenges and strengthen wellbeing at home.
• Staff consultation, training and guidance, supporting effective responses to children’s emotional wellbeing and SEND needs.
• Safeguarding and wellbeing advice, ensuring pupils receive coordinated and timely support.

Trauma-Informed Practice

Ribbon Academy is committed to being a trauma-informed school. All teaching staff have received trauma-informed training and understand how adverse childhood experiences can impact emotional regulation, behaviour, relationships and learning.

This enables staff to respond with empathy, consistency and understanding, helping children feel safe, develop resilience and build positive relationships. Our trauma-informed approach supports children to understand and manage their emotions while developing the confidence and skills needed for lifelong success.

Mental Health First Aid

The school has trained Mental Health First Aiders who contribute to promoting positive mental health throughout our school community. They provide early support, advice and signposting where concerns are identified, helping pupils, families and staff access appropriate support when needed.

At Ribbon Academy, we believe that positive emotional wellbeing is the foundation for success. Through our nurturing ethos, dedicated wellbeing provision, trauma-informed practice, Place2Be partnership and The Cubbie, we ensure that every child feels safe, valued, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential.