At The Compass School we want to make sure our young people have the opportunity to develop to their full potential in preparation for future life. Now an intrinsic part of school life, interventions in education allow for staff to address any gaps in a child’s progress or attainment. Once a need has been identified, effective interventions can then be used to overcome any barriers in the child’s learning.
Lego Therapy
Playing with LEGO in a therapy setting promotes social interaction, turn-taking skills, sharing, collaborative problem-solving and the learning of concepts. It can be used to target goals around social skills, language and motor skills. By using a commonly adored tool like LEGO it capitalises on its existing motivation and supports self-esteem by allowing the participants to demonstrate their skills in a social situation. It also sets up a positive opportunity for guided social problem-solving to help develop social skills that can then be used in other situations.
LEGO-Based Therapy provides a highly structured environment where everyone plays a specific role within the group. Our sessions take place in small groups or one-to-one. A programme will usually last around six weeks.
Impact
Lego therapy can help children with autism feel calm and relaxed as they are doing something that they enjoy and know precisely what to expect and what is expected of them.
ELSA
ELSAs are emotional literacy support assistants. They are specialist teaching assistants with a wealth of experience of working with children. Their aims to build your child’s emotional development and help them cope with life’s challenges. The ELSA will help your child to find solutions to any problems they may have.
A lot of work that ELSAs do will be on an individual basis with one child, however, there are cases where group sessions may be appropriate such as when working on social skills and friendship skills. Sessions are fun, using a range of activities such as: games, role-play or therapeutic activities such as mindfulness or arts and craft. ELSA sessions take place in a calm, safe space so the child feels supported and nurtured.
Sessions will typically happen once a week across the length of half a term to a term and last between half an hour and an hour. Not all changes will happen quickly, and one programme may not be able to meet all the needs that a child has. So when planning the work that will go into a programme ELSAs need to be aware of what aims they want to target.
Impact
ELSA help pupils to find their own solutions to the emotion issues mentioned above. The ELSA isn’t there to ‘fix’ the child. For pupils with complex or long-term needs, it’s unrealistic to expect ELSA support to resolve all their difficulties. Change is a long-term process that needs everyone’s help and may need to be repeated.
Children who need help and support with any of the following:
- Social Skills
- Loss & Bereavement
- Social Situations
- Therapeutic Stories
- Anger Management
- Self-esteem
- Real-life problem-solving skills
- Friendship & Relationships
- Recognising emotions
- Anxiety
- Behaviour
- Bullying & Conflict
Counselling
By creating a safe space to talk through their concerns, child counselling can help children understand their emotions better, develop coping skills and build emotional resilience, something that will serve them well into adulthood.
Your child will meet once a week with our school counsellor, Sally for their sessions and
Impact
Child counselling offers young people a safe space to discuss and work through anything they may be struggling with. This could include family worries, exam stress and mental health concerns like anxiety and self-harm.
Play Therapy
Play therapy creates a safe place for children to express their feelings and thoughts. It creates a relationship of trust built between the child and the play therapist. It makes way to the development of self-esteem and the coping ability of the children.
Play Therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play as a means of helping individuals, particularly children, express their thoughts and feelings. The purpose Play therapy is mainly used with children who may struggle to articulate their emotions verbally. It provides them with a way to communicate at their own level using everyday play materials.
Our play therapist works with children to help them access important thoughts and feelings they might not even realize they have. Various play techniques are employed, such as musical instruments, books, sand trays, arts and crafts, and role play. Through these activities, children can explore their emotions, practice responses, and develop coping skills.
Play therapy sessions are primarily child-led. The therapist doesn’t interpret, react, or judge. Instead, they create a safe space where the child can freely express themselves. Establishing a trusting relationship with the child is crucial. Some children have never experienced such support before, so the therapist ensures they feel understood, safe, and able to explore their feelings.
Impact
Play therapy can help with various issues, including trauma, bereavement, anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. It allows children to process emotions, develop important skills, and build relationships.
Drawing & Talking
Drawing and Talking Therapy is the number one alternative to CBT and direct talking therapies, that can often be confronting or limiting in the processing of pain or trauma. As an attachment-based therapeutic intervention, Drawing and Talking Therapy is designed to complement CAMHS and other specialist therapies
Impact
Drawing and Talking therapy can have a significant positive impact on children with SEMH needs. These therapeutic approaches provide a safe, non-threatening space for children to express and process complex emotions that may be difficult to articulate verbally. Drawing allows for creative expression, helping children externalise their feelings, reduce anxiety and gain and insight into their thoughts.
St Giles Trust
St Giles trust is a UK based charity that offer services on empowering individuals to make positive changes, they work in schools around the country mentoring young people and working on prevention, supporting at risk youths to break the cycle of crime and exclusion.
Impact
Mentoring with St Giles trust can have a transformative impact by providing individuals with personalised guidance, emotional support, and practical advice. It helps build self-confidence, improve life skills and foster positive decision-making.
West Ham sports coaching
West Ham United offers sports coaching and mentoring programs in school, aiming to engage and inspire young people through football and other activities. These programs use sports as a tool for personal development, helping children improve physical fitness, teamwork and leadership skills. Mentoring sessions often focus on building confidence, resilience and social-emotional skills particularly for those at risk of social exclusion or academic underachievement.
Impact
The impact of West Ham’s sports coaching and mentoring program for young people can be significant, fostering both personal and academic development. Through sport young people gain improved physical health, teamwork skill and discipline, which contributes to increased self-esteem and a sense of achievement.