At St Alban’s Catholic Primary School we want everyone involved with our school to feel well supported. We believe that good pastoral support focuses on nurturing the individual needs of each child. We aim to build trusting and empathic relationships with all our pupils and their families. Together our team works with children so they can lead fulfilling and balanced lives at school and beyond.

All our staff model to pupils how to look after themselves and others; encouraging them to seek help, support or advice whenever they need it.

Pastoral care underpins personal development and we know from experience that with outstanding pastoral care, children feel they belong and their self-esteem is able to flourish because they feel valued and cared for.

Supporting the pastoral needs of pupils sometimes involves working with external agencies. In these situations we ensure that a confidential, professional, non-judgemental and sensitive service is provided.

The fundamental relationship between emotional and mental well-being and educational achievement is widely recognised and as a result we place great importance on pastoral care at St Alban's Catholic primary school. 

Our vision is to have a full understanding and knowledge of the wide range of pastoral needs of the children in our care and to strive to provide them with the most appropriate support at any given time. We recognise that children need to develop their personal strength, confidence and understanding of self in order to progress emotionally, socially and educationally.  

We aim to build respectful and trusting relationships with all pupils and their parents and guardians so that information can be shared between home and school. We encourage parents and guardians to share information about what is going on in a child’s personal life that could have an impact on them however small or large. This knowledge is vital for staff so that they can act swiftly to provide care and support. 

We have a robust PSHE curriculum that is delivered to all ages so that children can understand and begin to deal with their own feelings, develop their own social and emotional resilience and understand about mental health.  This includes the whole-school programme My Happy Mind, which helps children understand their brain, their emotions, and how to look after their mental health. 

We believe that promoting social, emotional and mental well-being, for all those involved in the school community, is key to providing the best possible learning environment and all staff remain committed to this; it is at the heart of our school ethos.