Please note this year this training is only available to Slough schools.
The 5 day course qualifies Teaching Assistants to work as ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) in schools and is followed up with ongoing supervision sessions to embed the programme and support the ELSA.
The course dates are the following:
- Monday 25th September 2023
- Monday 16th October 2023
- Monday 27th November 2023
- Monday 15th January 2024
- Monday 19th February 2024
It is essential to attend all sessions held at Meeting Room 1, Arbour Park Stadium, Stoke Road, SL2 5AY from 9.15am - 3.15pm. The charge for the course is £420 + £180 for the first year of supervision + fees.
What is an ELSA?
ELSAs are Emotional Literacy Support Assistants. They are Teaching Assistants who have received specific training from Educational Psychologists from whom they receive on-going supervision following training. Their role is to support children and young people in school to understand and regulate their own emotions, learn to respect others around them and to develop resilience.
How would an ELSA benefit your school?
There has been consistent feedback from schools across the UK that the introduction of ELSAs has made a significant positive impact on the emotional wellbeing of children and young people and their ability to manage better at school — socially, emotionally and academically.
How would it work?
ELSAs will receive five days of training from Educational Psychologists to help them to plan, deliver and evaluate bespoke interventions for identified pupils in their schools. They receive course notes and a copy of 'Emotional Wellbeing: An Introductory Handbook for Schools, by Gillian Shotton & Shiela Burton. Following the initial training ELSAs meet every half term (6 times a year) for a group supervision session with a small group of other ELSAs and an Educational Psychologist. This is 'clinical' supervision to support the ELSAs to develop their role in school, provide a psychological perspective and attend additional training elements (e.g. bereavement in the first year). There is an additional payment of £180 per annum for supervision, the first year of which will be charged for alongside the course fee.
What ELSAs need from their schools?
When sending someone for training as an ELSA it is important that the school is committed to releasing that person from other duties so that the can deliver ELSA programmes. In most schools this will be for a minimum of one day per week (or equivalent) and this should include time to plan, deliver and evaluate programmes. This can be built up as the training programme progresses.
Attending all dates is mandatory.
Bookings are closed for this year.