At Livingstone Road Primary, our pastoral interventions are designed to support the social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs of our pupils, ensuring every child feels safe, understood, and ready to learn. These interventions may include one‑to‑one check‑ins, small‑group sessions, friendship and nurture groups, conflict‑resolution support, and structured activities that help children manage emotions and build positive relationships. Staff work closely with families to identify needs early, offering consistent, child‑centred guidance. As part of our graduated response to SEMH, we also provide more intensive and targeted interventions for pupils who require additional support, ensuring that our approach is tailored, responsive, and rooted in a secure, nurturing environment. Through this commitment, Livingstone Road Primary helps children develop confidence, resilience, and positive engagement in school life.
Pastoral Interventions
Hamish and Milo
At Livingstone Road Primary School, we use the Hamish & Milo programme to help children explore and understand their emotions in a safe, nurturing way. This intervention gives children the space to talk about their feelings, build confidence, and learn strategies that support their emotional wellbeing. Through creative activities, stories, and gentle discussion, children are encouraged to express themselves and recognise that all feelings are valid.
The sessions are delivered in small groups and 1:1, allowing children to connect with others who may share similar experiences. This sense of belonging helps them feel understood and supported, while the structured activities guide them in developing resilience, empathy, and positive self‑esteem. The programme is playful, engaging, and designed to help children feel comfortable while learning important emotional skills.
Our staff work closely with families to ensure the support children receive through Hamish & Milo is consistent and meaningful. By combining the programme’s thoughtful resources with our school’s caring approach, we help children build strong emotional foundations that will benefit them both in school and beyond. At Livingstone Road Primary, we believe every child deserves to feel heard, valued, and empowered to navigate their emotions with confidence
Please visit Hamish and Milo website: Website
Sand Tray Therapy
Sand Therapy offers a calm, supportive environment where children can express their inner world through symbolic play using sand, figures, and small objects. This approach enables pupils to explore emotions, process difficult experiences, and make sense of their thoughts in a safe, contained way. Through hands‑on, creative expression, children develop emotional regulation, problem‑solving skills, and increased confidence in managing challenges.
Think Bricks
The Think Bricks intervention is a practical, play‑based programme designed to help primary‑aged children develop their emotional awareness, social skills, and problem‑solving abilities. Using colourful building bricks as a hands‑on tool, children explore and model real‑life scenarios, allowing them to express feelings, identify triggers, and practise positive coping strategies in a safe and engaging way. Through guided discussions and structured activities, pupils learn to recognise emotions in themselves and others, build resilience, and develop confidence in managing challenges both in and out of the classroom. This creative approach makes abstract ideas easier to understand, ensuring the skills taught are meaningful, memorable, and easily transferred into daily school life.
Play Therapy
Play Therapy provides a supportive space where children can explore their emotions and experiences through play. It helps them build confidence and self-efficacy by allowing them to face fears, learn new skills, and express feelings creatively.
This is a bespoke, targeted intervention, offered only after consultation with relevant professionals and overseen by the Inclusion Team to ensure it meets an individual child’s specific needs.
Play Therapy in our school is delivered by an external specialist provider, ensuring high-quality therapeutic support tailored to each child. Ultimately, it enables children to better understand their emotions, build resilience, and develop a stronger sense of self.
