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Learning Support Unit
The Learning Support Unit (LSU) is an integral part of St Thomas More. The role of the LSU is to support all pupils in every aspect of school life. The LSU is a large space and is used in a wide range of ways including emotional support, a place to go for pupils who have mobility issues, investigating behaviour issues and supporting students with poor behaviour. A real focus of the LSU is to provide a supportive environment for all who may need it. The LSU Manager, Mrs Tomlinson, has undertaken specific training that enables her to support young people and offer guidance on many of the issues they may face in their lives. Parents and Carers also seek support and advice from the school’s LSU should they need it.
A restorative approach is fundamentally important for all students. There is a specific focus on the importance of healthy and positive relationships to maintain good emotional wellbeing, resolving conflict and reducing harm.
The door is always open for all students to the LSU where they can seek a space to sit and talk and this is one of the ways students can be referred to the school Counselling Service.
The school’s Peer Mentors are trained to listen and support other students with any questions they may have about their school life and to demonstrate empathy, communication and the Catholic Ethos of our community. Peer Mentors are based in the LSU, Learning Resources Centre (LRC) and playgrounds at break and lunchtime every day.
STUDENT SUPPORT
Sources of support in school include:
- The Learning Support Unit
- Ms Tomlinson in the LSU is always available if you need someone to talk to.
- All Key Stage Leaders, and Form Tutors.
- Peer Mentors from each year group are there to support you with any questions or issues.
- Talk to an adult, or use email to tell us how you’re feeling
- Mrs C Beebee-Sandry, our school counsellor is available to listen and support you if you’re having problems at home or in school.
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Encouraging students to engage with the half-termly Mindfulness themes and activities.
Bereavement - Supporting a Child or Young Person
Cruse Bereavement Care offers support, advice and information to children,
young people and adults when someone dies
RD4U is a website for 12-18 year olds to help you find your own road to dealing with loss. It provides a message board with its own e-mail reply service manned by trained volunteers.
Winston’s Wish is a charity for bereaved children that has a great interactive website with lots of information.
Road Peace is a national road traffic victim helpline – 0845 4500 355 open 12 hours a day every day offering free confidential support and information to the bereaved, injured and their carers. Their website tells you how to create an internet memorial.
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
Mrs Tomlinson has undertaken specific training courses with Child Bereavement UK, Grief and Bereavement in Schools and Supporting Bereaved Pupils: Let's talk about it
e-Safety
Making the internet a safe and healthy place for us to explore is the responsibility of a number of organization’s, including supply social media providers, such as Face book, Twitter and Instagram. However, all of us have a responsibility to consider if the photograph, video or information which we have should be shared with the world and for us to consider the impact of our actions, before we cause offense and distress.
To know more about how to keep safe on the internet you may like to visit any of these sites:
Remember, if anyone needs support with on line abuse or e-safety, they can speak in confidence to their Head of Year or report the issue online.
“When I feel I don’t know what to do I always go straight to the LSU for help and I have the chance to sit in a calm place.”
Year 8 Student
"By coming to the LSU it has helped me, not only mentally, but also physically to become a brighter learner. It has also helped me become more independent in what I do."
Year 10 Student
"The LSU has helped me to be more sure about myself, to be more confident and keep going and keep doing my best and always makes me smile."
Year 7 Student
“I go to the LSU to do my Anger Gremlin lessons; it has calm me down and it helps when I am stressed. It makes me feel safe. The LSU has helped me in sad times.”
Year 9 Student
“It helped me because it gave me time to reflect on what I had done and be a better person.”
Year 8 Student
“I think that the LSU helps people to reflect on what their behaviour is like. Mrs Tomlinson is very supportive of us.”
Year 9 Student
"The LSU has helped me with my worries of coming to school. It is a place I can come when I feel anxious and can continue my work in a calm environment. The LSU has helped me feel happier in school.”
Year 10 Student
“Mrs Tomlinson is very helpful to me and always keeps me out of trouble by giving me good advice.”
Year 8 Student
"The LSU can help you in different ways; it can help you to reflect on what you have done wrong and help you to be a better person.”
Year 8 Student
"The LSU has always been helpful to me. Mrs Tomlinson was there when I have struggled to arrange my schoolwork and extra-curricular activities. She helped me when I was going through difficult times and has always been able to support my mental health issues. I know from experience that if there is a problem I cannot face, I can always seek help from Mrs Tomlinson in the LSU."
Year11 Student
