Social Emotional Learning

At Rocklands, our Social Emotional Learning provision is at the heart of our inclusive approach, recognising that emotional wellbeing underpins successful learning.

We recognise that all behaviour is communication and that children learn best when they feel safe, understood and valued. Our provision focuses on meeting children at their developmental stage, providing opportunities to work on identified areas of need based on our tiered approach for behaviour.

Nurture

Our Nurture provision offers a safe, structured and highly supportive environment, where children develop trusting relationships with our highly skilled and trained adults, Liz. H, Donna and SJ. Through carefully planned Nurture groups and interventions, we support our children to build confidence, resilience, communication skills and emotional literacy, enabling them to feel secure and ready to learn.

Nurture at Rocklands is delivered in both small groups and targeted intervention. Our ultimate aim is to empower every children who required Nurture to engage confidently in learning, develop positive relationships, and thrive both in school and beyond.

ELSA

At Rocklands, our ELSA approach is rooted in strong relationships and an understanding that emotional wellbeing is central to successful learning. By supporting pupils to recognise and regulate their emotions, we help remove barriers, promote positive behaviour and enhance engagement across the school day. our ELSA provision supports children to develop the emotional awareness and resilience needed to engage in their learning and build positive relationships.

Our trained ELSA specialist, Donna, works closely with children through individual or small-group sessions, delivering programmes designed to develop key skills such as emotional understanding, self-esteem, social interaction and managing feelings such as anxiety, frustration or change.

Sessions are carefully planned, ensuring that support is purposeful and focused on agreed outcomes. Through a safe, calm and trusting environment, pupils are given the opportunity to talk, reflect and explore their feelings, enabling them to develop coping strategies and build confidence in themselves and others.

Drawing and Talking

Rocklands Drawing and Talking provision offers a predictable, gentle, therapeutic approach to supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing. We recognise that many of our children may find it difficult to express their thoughts and feelings through words alone, and this intervention provides a safe and creative way to explore their inner world.

Drawing and Talking is a one-to-one intervention, where children work with our Drawing and Talking Leader, Donna, in a calm environment. Through a series of structured sessions, children are encouraged to draw freely and talk about their pictures using simple, non-intrusive prompts, allowing them to express emotions in a way that feels natural and unpressured. This approach is particularly effective for children experiencing anxiety, change or difficulties with communication, as drawing provides a non-verbal route to emotional expression. Over time, pupils are supported to process feelings, develop greater emotional understanding, and build resilience and self-confidence.