Leaways School

Counselling at Leaways School provides pupils with a safe, confidential and supportive space to explore thoughts, feelings and life experiences. Many of our pupils have faced significant emotional challenges or periods of instability, and counselling offers a structured opportunity to reflect, process and rebuild.

Delivered by qualified practitioners, counselling sessions are tailored to each pupil’s needs and can take place on a short- or long-term basis. The focus is on helping pupils to understand themselves better, develop positive coping strategies and build resilience. Through talking, reflection and guided techniques, pupils learn to manage difficult emotions such as anxiety, anger, sadness or low self-esteem within a trusting, non-judgemental relationship.

Counsellors work closely with teaching staff, pastoral teams and families (where appropriate) to ensure that therapeutic progress aligns with wider support plans. This joined-up approach enables consistent care and reinforces emotional growth across all aspects of school life.

Counselling helps pupils develop greater self-awareness and confidence in expressing their needs. They begin to notice patterns in their thinking and behaviour, understand how experiences shape emotions, and practise strategies for change. As pupils gain these insights, they are better able to focus on learning, relationships and personal goals.

The impact of counselling extends beyond the therapy room—it builds the foundations for improved engagement, emotional regulation and wellbeing. At Leaways School, we view counselling as an essential part of nurturing the whole child, enabling every pupil to move forward with confidence, balance and hope.

Walk & Talk at Leaways School combines gentle physical activity with therapeutic conversation, offering pupils a calm and natural space to express themselves freely. For many young people with social, emotional or mental health needs, traditional face-to-face dialogue can feel intimidating. Walk & Talk removes that pressure by creating movement, rhythm and a sense of ease that encourages openness.

Sessions are delivered one-to-one by trained practitioners who use outdoor or quiet on-site spaces to promote relaxation and engagement. Walking side-by-side rather than across a table helps pupils to regulate emotions, reduce anxiety and process thoughts more naturally. The pace and direction of each session are guided by the pupil’s comfort and readiness to talk.

Practitioners integrate therapeutic listening, mindfulness and grounding techniques to support reflection and problem-solving. Pupils may use the time to talk through worries, identify triggers or explore goals, often discovering that movement helps them to think more clearly and express themselves with confidence.

Walk & Talk also connects with our wider school ethos of promoting wellbeing through physical activity and outdoor learning. The approach complements counselling and mentoring by providing a more informal, yet highly effective, route to self-awareness and emotional regulation.

Through consistent participation, pupils build trust, communication skills and resilience. They learn that movement can be a healthy coping mechanism and that their voice matters. Walk & Talk captures the spirit of Leaways School — nurturing emotional growth through connection, empathy and gentle encouragement.

Sense & Connect at Leaways School is a nurturing therapeutic intervention that uses sensory experiences — such as touch, sound, movement and texture — to help pupils develop emotional awareness, communication and regulation. Many of our pupils experience difficulties with sensory processing or self-expression, and this approach gently bridges the gap between physical sensation and emotional understanding.

Sessions are delivered one-to-one or in small groups by trained practitioners in a calm, structured environment. Using multisensory activities such as tactile play, rhythmic movement, sound exploration or sensory storytelling, pupils are supported to connect feelings with physical experience. This helps them to communicate needs, manage anxiety and engage more confidently with learning.

The sessions are highly individualised, responding to each pupil’s sensory profile and emotional state. Practitioners use predictable routines and clear boundaries to create a sense of safety and trust. Over time, pupils learn to identify sensations linked to comfort or stress, developing strategies to self-regulate and calm their bodies.

Sense & Connect also strengthens social interaction and confidence. Pupils begin to tolerate shared spaces, explore new textures, and take pride in creative expression. Teachers and therapists collaborate closely to transfer these skills into classroom routines, supporting focus, participation and readiness to learn.

This intervention embodies the Leaways ethos of meeting every pupil where they are. By connecting sensory and emotional worlds, Sense & Connect fosters self-awareness, confidence and independence — helping each child to build the foundations for lasting wellbeing and engagement.

Sensory Circuits at Leaways School are structured sequences of physical activities designed to help pupils regulate their sensory systems and prepare for learning. Many of our pupils benefit from movement and sensory input to support focus, attention and emotional balance. Sensory Circuits provide this in a predictable, engaging and therapeutic way.

Sessions follow a three-phase model: alerting, organising and calming. Pupils move through carefully selected activities that stimulate, structure and then soothe the body’s sensory systems. These may include balance boards, climbing, deep pressure tasks, stretches or rhythmic movements. Each activity is chosen to meet individual sensory needs and to support regulation before returning to the classroom.

Delivered by trained staff, Sensory Circuits usually take place at the start of the school day or after lunch, helping pupils settle, refocus and re-engage with learning. The routine provides consistency and predictability, reducing anxiety and increasing readiness to learn. Staff monitor responses closely and adapt sessions to ensure they remain supportive, purposeful and safe.

Over time, pupils develop self-awareness and strategies for self-regulation. They learn how movement affects mood and concentration, and how to make choices that help them stay calm and focused. The benefits extend beyond the session: improved attention, reduced behavioural incidents and greater emotional stability throughout the day.

Sensory Circuits are an integral part of Leaways School’s therapeutic environment — simple yet powerful routines that nurture both body and mind, preparing every pupil to learn, participate and succeed.

Life Skills Tailored Interventions at Leaways School are designed to equip pupils with the essential knowledge, confidence and independence they need to manage everyday life. These practical, hands-on sessions bridge the gap between learning and living, helping pupils develop the social, emotional and functional skills that prepare them for adulthood.

Delivered through a blend of 1:1, small-group and experiential learning, interventions focus on areas such as personal organisation, self-care, money management, travel training, cooking, communication and community participation. Each programme is personalised to reflect the pupil’s age, ability and aspirations, ensuring that progress feels meaningful and achievable.

Sessions are highly practical and contextualised. Pupils might plan and shop for ingredients, use public transport, practise budgeting or role-play real-life scenarios such as job interviews and appointments. Alongside these activities, staff embed reflection and problem-solving, helping pupils to think critically, make decisions and learn from experience.

Life Skills interventions also promote emotional literacy and social understanding. Pupils learn to recognise emotions, manage frustration and interact appropriately with others — skills essential for both employment and relationships. Collaboration between teachers, therapists and pastoral staff ensures these life lessons are reinforced across the curriculum.

Through Life Skills Tailored Interventions, pupils gain not only qualifications but confidence in their ability to live independently and responsibly. This holistic approach reflects Leaways School’s vision: to prepare every pupil not just for exams, but for life — resilient, capable and ready to contribute positively to their community.