Pastoral Care

At Danesfield School we recognise that the mental health of our children and how we nurture their well-being is essential for developing happy and healthy learners. Some pupils will need more in the way of emotional support during their educational journeys. Pastoral care therefore forms an integral part of school life and all children receive the following:

Tier 1 (Universal Support) - delivered through PSHE lessons, Forest School, a rich and inclusive curriculum and our school vision, ethos and values where we:

• Support children in understanding and expressing their emotions in a healthy way         
• Create a safe space for children to openly share any worries or concerns 
• Guide children in building meaningful friendships and positive relationships  
• Boost children’s self-esteem, helping them feel valued and important 
• Encourage children to embrace their individuality with confidence  
• Strengthen children’s emotional resilience, empowering them to handle challenges and setbacks            

For those facing short term challenges or those impacted by life experiences, the Nurture Team can offer compassionate support tailored to their needs through the following:

Tier 2 (Targeted Support) – delivered on a one-to-one basis or in small groups out of class through:

• Animal Therapy  
• Lego Therapy 
• Drawing and Talking Therapy  
• Counselling
• Nurture Groups
• Poppy Club
• Peer Mentoring
• Girls On Board – friendship issues

Some circumstances will require the involvement of external agencies and specialist professionals who can provide more in-depth, targeted support. 

 Tier 3 (Specialised Support) – the Nurture Team will liaise between families and any external agency in order to ensure the child’s needs are being met.

• Buckinghamshire Children’s Services including the Family Support Service
• CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service
• School Nursing Team

Our Nurture Team is dedicated to supporting pupils facing social or emotional challenges. It consists of experienced teachers and teaching assistants with expertise in child development, counselling skills, therapy techniques, and mental health who create a warm, supportive space where every child feels heard, valued, and understood.

At Danesfield School, we’re fortunate to have wonderful nurture spaces including The Lookout, The Nook and a Yurt. These spaces offer a safe, supportive, and calming environment for pupils facing social or emotional challenges. They are designed to feel welcoming and homely, each space is furnished with cosy sofas, a quiet area and tables for games, crafts and puzzles. These nurturing spaces help children feel comfortable and secure. We take advantage of our forest and farm school areas to deliver interventions in nature and among animals when appropriate.

Our monthly wellbeing newsletter includes useful ideas and links to support positive mental health and wellbeing for pupils, parents and staff. We hope you enjoy reading it and find it helpful. 

Nurture News Dec 2024

Nurture News Jan 2025

Nurture News Feb 2025

Nurture News March 2025

Nurture News April 2025

At Danesfield School, we are committed to nurturing the emotional and physical wellbeing of our pupils, staff and wider community.  We strive to ensure that everyone has access to the support they need to strengthen and improve their mental health and to help when times are tough. It might be that some of the following websites provide some help and information for you if you are dealing with some difficult challenges. The links included will take you directly to each website.

• Action for Children provides practical and emotional care and support for children, young people and families.
• Anna Freud Centre works with children, families, communities and professionals to support and transform mental health. 
• Better Health - NHS provides lots of free tools and support to improve physical and mental wellbeing. 
• Buckinghamshire Family Support Service offers support to children, young people and families. 
• Buckinghamshire Mind is a mental health charity. They promote wellbeing and provide support in times of crisis. 
• Childline is the UK's free helpline for children and young people. It provides a confidential telephone counselling service for any child or young person.
• Education Support  is a UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff in schools, colleges and universities. 
• Every Mind Matters - NHS can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay physically and mentally healthy.
• Family Hub Network Buckinghamshire offers advice, support and services to families with children from birth to 18 years of age (25 years with Special Educational Needs or a disability).
• FamilyLine offers free emotional support, information and guidance on family relationships – including siblings, conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more. Their helpline number is 0808 802 6666.
• Family Lives – provides information, advice, guidance and support on any aspect of parenting and family life. Their helpline number is 0808 800 2222.
• Family Rights Group – provides parents or other relatives with advice about their rights and options when social workers or courts make decisions about their children's welfare. Their advice line number is 0808 801 0366.
• Gingerbread – provides single parents with advice and practical support. You can call the advice line on 0808 802 0925. 
• Happiful provides stories, news and practical ways to help support positive mental health and wellbeing in children.
• Health in Mind  offers a pathway of services to support you with a range of mental health problems including anxiety, depression and the impact of trauma. 
• Kidscape are the first charity in the UK established specifically to prevent bullying and abuse. The website offers advice and practical skills.
• Kooth Free online support for young people. Kooth counsellors are online Monday-Friday, 12 noon til 10pm and weekends, 6pm-10pm.
• MindUP teaches the skills and knowledge children need to regulate their emotions, form positive relationships, and act with kindness and compassion.
• National Energy Action  works across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to eradicate fuel poverty and raise awareness.
• Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity with over 25 years’ experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools.
• Relate – provides relationship support, including help for children, young people, family life and parenting.
• Samaritans Samaritan volunteers listen in confidence to anyone in any type of emotional distress, without judgement.
• Shout Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.
• Sibs is the only UK charity for children and adults who are growing up with or have grown up with a brother or sister who is disabled, has special educational needs or a serious long-term condition.
• Single Parents provides single parents with help, advice and support.
• Step Change  is the UK's leading debt charity. Get expert debt help and advice and fee-free debt management to help you tackle your debts.
• The Mix is a free, confidential telephone helpline finding young people the best help whatever the problem. It provides free connections to local or national services.
• Trussell provide practical support and work with community food banks.
• Winston's Wish offers support, information and guidance to all those caring for a bereaved child or young person. 
• YES is a charity that offers free one to one counselling support for young people aged 11 to 35 years in High Wycombe and the surrounding areas.
• Young Minds is the UK's leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. You can call the parents' helpline on 0808 802 5544.

• Pupils – Every child in the school can speak with a member of the Nurture Team if they have a concern or worry about school or home.  They can do this by either approaching them directly or by asking another member of staff. 
• Parents/carers – If parents/carers have a pastoral concern regarding their child, they are encouraged to first speak to the child’s class teacher or book an appointment with a member of the Nurture Team. To get in touch, please contact the school office on 01628 483031 or by emailing pastoralsupport@danesfieldschool.co.uk 
• Teachers/staff members – Referrals can be made to the Nurture Team following an initial consultation with parents.