Pastoral Care in Branksomewood

EVERY PUPIL IS VALUED AND SUPPORTED

Within Branksomewood, home to our Nursery and Infant School, we believe that happy children work hard and achieve and have a wellbeing toolkit on hand to ensure that they are well supported during their time here. Each child is known and cared for, nurtured and nourished, to ensure that they thrive. 

Your child will be spending some of their most influential years in our care, where they will make leaps and strides in their emotional, social, physical and intellectual development. These early years are key; how they are supported and how happy they feel at school, is just as important as how and what they learn. 

SUPPORTING EMOTIONAL GROWTH

The wellbeing of your child is at the heart of every decision and interaction within Branksomewood. It is a fundamental aspect that shapes not only academic success, but the overall experience of learning and growing throughout your child's journey at St Nicholas' School.   

Our supportive and proactive approach provides the pupils with opportunities for them to grow in confidence, develop their independence and sense of self-belief.  This facilitates the development of their personal, social and emotional intelligence and our aim is to create a supportive and nurturing environment in which our pupils feel secure and able to achieve.  

Happy days are plentiful in Branksomewood, but life has a way of throwing us a curveball or two. Long-term happiness depends on being able to handle difficult times and the unpredictable emotions that come with them. Our goal, even from a child’s first days at school, is to teach them to feel their emotions in a way that is healthy and manageable.    

In the Nursery and Infant School, kindness, courage and respect are essential elements for our young pupils to thrive. With these as their foundation, children are able to develop the social and emotional intelligence needed to support each other in living bold and brave lives.   

Encouraging open conversations helps our youngest pupils to become more secure, resilient and self-confident as children but, even more critically, it provides them with an emotional toolkit they can use for the rest of their lives. Our aim for the pupils at St Nicholas' School is to develop into adults who can find direction and happiness from within. 
 

JASPER, OUR WELLBEING CHAMPION 

A special member of our school family, Jasper, plays a vital role in enhancing the wellbeing of our pupils. As our beloved school dog, Jasper encourages our younger pupils to develop nurturing skills while offering comfort and companionship. His presence creates a positive and supportive atmosphere, helping children feel more relaxed and connected to their surroundings. 

Jasper’s role extends beyond that of a school dog; he’s a calming influence that reinforces the sense of care and compassion that defines our school community. Whether he’s being gently petted or simply sitting nearby, his comforting presence reminds our pupils that they are cared for, valued, and never alone in their journey. 

"We are hugely pleased with our son's progress at St Nicks and believe it has given him a fantastic educational foundation to build from – you have some wonderful teaching staff and a fantastic school community."

Infant School Parent