Nurturing the Emotional Wellbeing of Every Child
At St Hugh of Lincoln, we are deeply committed to supporting the emotional, social, and spiritual development of every child. As a Catholic school, we follow the example of Jesus in offering compassion, understanding, and care to all members of our community.
We understand that children’s emotional wellbeing is just as important as their academic progress. At times, some children may face emotional challenges that make it harder for them to learn, feel confident, or manage daily school life. That’s where our ELSA support comes in.
What is ELSA?
ELSA stands for Emotional Literacy Support Assistant.
ELSA is a national initiative developed by educational psychologists to support the emotional needs of children in school. An ELSA is a specially trained teaching assistant who works with children, one-to-one or in small groups, to help them understand and manage their emotions.
At St Hugh of Lincoln, our ELSA are Sarah Carr and Nicola Goddard, who work closely with our SENDCo, class teachers and parents to provide a safe, supportive space for children to explore and develop their emotional wellbeing.
ELSA sessions focus on a wide range of emotional needs, including:
- Building self-esteem and confidence
- Managing anxiety and worries
- Understanding and expressing emotions
- Coping with bereavement or loss
- Developing friendships and social skills
- Managing anger or frustration
- Supporting changes such as separation or transition
Each child’s sessions are tailored to their individual needs, using a gentle, play-based and relationship-focused approach grounded in trust, respect, and empathy.
- Children are usually referred for ELSA support by a class teacher, SENDCo or parent.
- Sessions take place weekly in a calm, private space known as the ELSA Room, where children feel safe and listened to.
- Sessions may be individual or in small groups, depending on the needs.
- The length of support varies, but a typical ELSA programme will run for 6 weeks..
- Parents are kept informed and involved, and staff work closely with families throughout the process.
Our ELSA work is grounded in our Christian values – love, compassion, patience, forgiveness and hope. Through ELSA support, we aim to nurture not just emotional literacy but a sense of inner peace, self-worth, and connection to others, helping children to flourish in mind, heart and spirit.
At St Hugh of Lincoln, we believe that emotional development is a shared journey between school and home. We work in close partnership with parents and carers to ensure every child feels heard, supported, and understood. Both in school and beyond.
If you feel your child may benefit from emotional support through our ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) programme, please speak to their class teacher or get in touch with our SENDCo or ELSA directly. We will listen carefully to your concerns and, where appropriate, add your child to our referral list for support.
In addition, we may be able to signpost you to further support through Trafford’s Early Help Pathway or other local services that can offer guidance tailored to your family’s needs.
For more information about ELSA, please contact:
ELSA EYFS – Sarah Carr ELSA – Nicola Goddard
SENDCO – Claire Jackson 0161 912 2906 or email – jacksonc@st-hughlincoln.trafford.sch.uk
Or speak to your child’s class teacher.
