ELSA, or Emotional Literacy Support Assistant, is a fantastic initiative designed to help children and young people develop their emotional skills. Essentially, it focusses on enhancing emotional literacy, which is the ability to understand and express emotions, as well as manage feelings effectively. The principles of ELSA are grounded in providing a safe and supportive environment where children can explore their emotions, build resilience, and develop coping strategies.

Typically, ELSA runs for a set period—usually around one academic year—during which trained support assistants work with small groups or individual pupils. The sessions often cover topics such as self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, and relationship-building.

ELSA can make a significant difference for learners who may be struggling with various personal issues, including anxiety, bereavement, or friendship difficulties. By offering tailored support, ELSA programmes enable students to better understand their feelings and improve their interactions with peers and adults alike. Overall, ELSA is a valuable resource within schools, fostering emotional wellbeing and creating a more positive learning environment for everyone.

Our ELSAs (Mrs Ratcliffe, Mrs Roe and Miss Nicholson) are trained by Educational Psychologists