St John's, Dorking
“Child mental health is becoming a bigger issue in schools and hinders progression of children if not dealt with. Play Therapy [Ed Magee] gives focused support to our most vulnerable children; ensuring direct impact on Teaching and Learning. Without Play Therapy for two of our children in Y6 last year, they would not have reached the expected standard”
Would you recommend it?
Absolutely
How was it funded?
I used pupil premium funding and Notional SEN funding to fund the Play Therapy. The cost was then used as part of the childs support package when referring for an EHCP (statement) and able to feed into any social care involvement.
How did you justify the funding choice?
The direct impact on Teaching and Learning. Having experience of Play Therapy in my last school, I knew the huge impact it had with vulnerable children and this was the case in point with the children referred. Where previous low-level intervention did not work, the minute that Play Therapy [Ed Magee] was introduced learning started to click and accelerate.
M. Richard, Headteacher, St John's Dorking
OfStead's view
“Pupils’ personal development and welfare are promoted well. The Play therapist [Ed Magee] and individually planned support enable pupils who have previously found school difficult to thrive”