Wellbeing & Pastoral Support | Longwill School for the Deaf, Birmingham

Wellbeing & Pastoral Support

Helping Children Feel Safe, Understood & Ready to Learn

Children learn best when they feel safe, understood and connected. Longwill supports emotional literacy, self-regulation, resilience and positive relationships through the curriculum, daily relationships and targeted pastoral support.

Pupils can access trusted adults, learning-mentor and pastoral support, and calm or regulatory spaces when needed. Where a pupil requires additional support, the school works with the child, family and relevant professionals to plan and review appropriate strategies.

Pupil Voice Matters

Children are supported to express their feelings and views in accessible ways and to know how and where to ask for help.

Emotional Wellbeing

We help pupils recognise feelings, develop self-awareness and build strategies for managing emotions.

Positive Relationships

Pupils are supported to build friendships, communicate positively and develop confidence in social situations.

Resilience & Independence

Children are encouraged to solve problems, make positive choices and become increasingly confident in seeking help when needed.

Wellbeing Support Pathway

Support is tailored to the needs of each child and can increase or change over time. A simple pathway may include:

1. Talk to the Class Team Initial concerns, observations and day-to-day support are discussed with the child’s class team.

2. Pastoral Support Additional targeted support may be provided by pastoral staff or Learning Mentors.

3. Specialist Support Where needed, the school may work with specialist or external professionals alongside the family.

Pastoral Support

At Longwill School, we recognise that children’s social and emotional development is central to their wellbeing, learning and future success. Our pastoral support helps children feel safe, valued and understood while developing the confidence to express themselves, build positive relationships and manage everyday challenges.

Mrs Collins provides additional pastoral support to a number of children across the school.

Support is tailored to each child’s individual strengths and needs and may focus on developing emotional awareness, self-esteem, communication, friendships, problem-solving and strategies for managing difficult feelings or situations.

Through regular, supportive sessions, children are encouraged to recognise their achievements, make positive choices and become increasingly confident in seeking help when they need it.

This work aims to help every child develop the social and emotional skills needed to become a resilient, independent and confident young Deaf person.

Pastoral support is provided in partnership with families, teaching staff and other professionals where appropriate. Parents and carers who would like further information about the pastoral support available to their child are encouraged to contact the school.

Learning Mentors

Alongside Mrs Collins, we have a team of experienced Learning Mentors who support children’s learning, wellbeing and personal development.

They help children overcome social, emotional or personal barriers that may affect their confidence, participation or progress in school.

Flexible Support

Support may be provided individually, in a small group or within the classroom depending on the child’s needs.

Developing Key Skills

Learning Mentors help children build resilience, independence, emotional awareness, positive communication, problem-solving and healthy friendships.

Learning Mentors work closely with children, families, teaching staff and other professionals to provide consistent and effective support.

Their work is adapted to meet the individual communication, language and cultural needs of each Deaf child, helping them feel safe, understood and ready to learn.

Find Out More

For further information about pastoral support or Learning Mentor support, please contact the school office or speak to a member of senior leadership.