Our Intent

At Our Lady’s RC Primary School, we are committed to nurturing the whole child — spiritually, emotionally, socially and academically.

Rooted in our Catholic mission to “live life to the full” (John 10:10), we believe that every child is created with dignity, purpose and potential. Personal development and wellbeing are central to our curriculum and daily life.

Our intention is to:

• Develop confident, resilient and compassionate individuals
• Support strong emotional literacy and self-regulation
• Foster moral courage, empathy and respect
• Provide rich experiences that broaden horizons
• Ensure every child feels safe, valued and heard

We believe wellbeing is the foundation for learning, growth and flourishing.

Emotional Wellbeing

We teach children to understand and manage their emotions through:

• Explicit emotional literacy teaching
• The Zones of Regulation approach
• Emotion Coaching language
• Calm spaces for reflection and regulation
• Daily check-ins and trusted adult support

Children learn that all feelings are valid, but not all behaviours are. Adults support pupils to recognise emotions, reflect on choices and develop healthy strategies for self-regulation.

Pastoral Care and Support

Our pastoral systems ensure that every child is known and supported.

This includes:

• Meet and greet routines
• Key adult check-ins
• Individual support plans where needed
• Small group interventions
• Access to a safe space during the school day
• Early intervention through our pastoral team

Where necessary, we work with external agencies to ensure children receive appropriate support.

Character Development

Personal development at Our Lady’s goes beyond emotional wellbeing.

Through our Catholic ethos and curriculum, we develop:

• Integrity and honesty
• Responsibility and accountability
• Compassion and service
• Respect for diversity and difference
• Courage to stand up for what is right

Children are given opportunities to:

• Take on leadership roles
• Participate in charity and service work
• Engage in collective worship
• Contribute to school decision-making
• Experience enrichment activities and visits

Relationships and Respect

We promote positive relationships through:

• Clear expectations of kindness and respect
• Restorative conversations
• Anti-bullying education
• Teaching children how to disagree respectfully
• Encouraging empathy and understanding

Children are taught how to build healthy friendships and resolve conflict appropriately.

Mental Health Awareness

We actively promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma around seeking help.

Pupils are supported to:

• Talk openly about feelings
• Identify trusted adults
• Develop coping strategies
• Understand the importance of asking for help

Parents are signposted to external support where appropriate.

Safeguarding and Safety

Wellbeing and safeguarding are closely linked.

We ensure:

• Staff are trained to recognise signs of vulnerability
• Early intervention where concerns arise
• Clear reporting procedures
• Strong communication with families

Children are taught how to keep themselves safe, both in school and online.

Our Impact

Through our personal development and wellbeing provision, we aim to see:

• Pupils who are emotionally literate and resilient
• Children who demonstrate empathy and respect
• Increased confidence and independence
• Positive attitudes to learning
• A strong sense of belonging and moral purpose

We are proud of our caring school family and remain committed to developing confident, compassionate and capable young people.