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St Teresa's Catholic Primary School

St Teresa's Catholic Primary School

    Love

    Accept

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    Reflect

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care at St Teresa’s

At St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School, pastoral care is not a department—it is the way we live our mission “With Jesus we live, love and learn.”
Every member of staff is committed to ensuring that every child is known, loved and supported. We recognise the dignity of every person and strive to create an environment where all children feel safe, valued and able to flourish.

Our pastoral offer is shaped by the Gospel, by the example of St Thérèse’s Little Way, and by the needs of the families we serve. We believe pastoral care is an act of discipleship: a daily expression of love, acceptance, respect and reflection.

A Community of Care

Strong, Compassionate Relationships

Our school has been repeatedly recognised for its exceptional culture of care.
An Essex Safeguarding Review (2025) praised the school for the “excellent professional relationships between staff, parents and children… based on the Catholic mission and values”

Parents echo this:

  • “Staff have been there for us—checking in and being present.” (The Catholic Year in Review 2025

  • “The kindness we received made a huge difference to our family.” (The Catholic Year in Review 2025)

Staff also describe the pastoral culture as compassionate, proactive and deeply rooted in Catholic values.

Meeting the Needs of Every Child

Pastoral Team and Support Structures

We offer a layered pastoral system, ensuring children receive the right support at the right time:

  • Two dedicated pastoral support workers who work with families, help with referrals, and provide wellbeing support

 


(Mrs Fuller and Mrs Gilbert: Our Pastoral Team)
 

  • Parental support with housing forms, benefits paperwork and liaising with external agencies

  • Daily emotional check-ins, safe places for regulation, and trauma-informed practice for our most vulnerable families.

  • BCCS counselling and play therapy, offered to both pupils and staff when needed
     

This provision has a profound impact, particularly for children arriving with complex emotional, developmental or SEND needs.

Supporting Our Families

Practical and Pastoral Outreach

We know that children thrive when their families feel supported. Our pastoral offer includes:

  • A school food bank, supporting multiple families at any given time

  • A uniform bank for clothing needs

  • Quiet, behind-the-scenes financial support for trips and school essentials

  • Targeted pastoral care for families experiencing bereavement, financial hardship or crisis

  • Immediate support for new joiners in vulnerable circumstances

One parent wrote:
“During a difficult financial period, the school’s food bank and the kindness we received made a huge difference.” (The Catholic Year in Review 2025)

Spaces That Nurture Wellbeing

Pastoral Environments That Heal and Calm

Our pastoral care is supported by thoughtfully designed spaces:

  • The Sensory Space, blessed by Fr Sabu, offers calm for emotional regulation and wellbeing

  • The Prayer Garden gives pupils a peaceful place for reflection and spiritual renewal

  • The Outdoor Shrine supports moments of spontaneous prayer

Children speak often of the peace these spaces bring:

“The Prayer Garden is lovely and peaceful. It’s really beautiful.”
(The Catholic Year in Review 2025)

Inclusion at the Heart of Pastoral Care

We are an ethnically diverse school with increasing levels of SEND and social complexity. A core part of our pastoral mission is ensuring that every child—regardless of background, ability or need—feels a sense of belonging.

  • Adaptive teaching ensures all pupils access the curriculum

  • Older pupils support younger children at playtimes and Mass

  • Pupils are taught kindness, tolerance and respect for personal dignity

  • Staff model compassion and understanding in every interaction

A pupil summed it up simply:
“Learning about how we should not judge people helped me be kind.”
(The Catholic Year in Review 2025)

Pastoral Care for Staff

We believe pastoral care must extend to the adults who serve our children.

  • Staff have access to BCCS counselling during times of difficulty

  • Work–life balance is protected through thoughtful timetabling and supportive leadership

  • Compassionate leave and flexible arrangements are provided when needed

  • Leadership models servant leadership, with SLT stepping in to support staff practically and emotionally

Staff voice affirms this:

“I have experienced amazing support from the school; the kindness and compassion have been second to none.”
(The Catholic Year in Review 2025)

What Makes Our Pastoral Care Distinctive?

It is faith-filled.

Our pastoral support is not just emotional—it is spiritual, rooted in the Gospel and the example of Christ.

It is proactive.

We identify needs early, intervene quickly and support families long before crises escalate.

It is inclusive.

Every child and family is given the same dignity, kindness and care.

It is relational.

We know our families well, and they know they can trust us.

It is transformative.

Our pastoral care changes outcomes, restores confidence and helps children grow into the people God created them to be.

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