An ELSA in a school is an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant. 

ELSAs are warm, kind and caring people who want to make children and young people feel happy in school. and to reach their potential socially, emotionally and academically. They understand the barriers to learning that some children and young people might have and can help them with this. 

Our ELSA team

Melissa Whatley - DSL,  ELSA Lead Mental Health Lead

Kariss Newitt - ELSA

Grace Miller - ELSA

Shannon O'Brien - ELSA

Support may be delivered in more than one way:

Wave 1 - PSHE lessons

Wave 2 - ELSA 

Wave 3 - Externally

Mental wellbeing at St Marys, helping children Learn, Grow, Achieve and Flourish.

INTENSE: Helping children learn and grow

1:1 support with focussed targets - additional support outside of weekly PSHE lessons

MODERATE: Helping children achieve

Classroom support to encourage independence, growth mindset and resilience - alongside weekly PSHE lessons

MILD: Helping children flourish

Check ins, Wednesday chat and chill, thumbs - along with weekly PHSE will reinforce coping strategies whilst building problem solving skills