Meet the Team
Inclusion Lead (INCo) – Mrs Gemma Hassan
I have worked at Willingham Primary School since 2007 and, during my time here, my skills and areas of expertise have been ever growing. There are pupils from a range of backgrounds and with many difficulties in our school and, within my role, I work towards ensuring that all pupils, despite their lived experiences, get the best possible education opportunities preparing them for secondary education.
I take responsibility for overseeing provision and support for pupils with Special Educational Needs and/ or Disabilities, emotional and mental health difficulties, those from disadvantaged backgrounds and all children who need any form of additional support in school. I work alongside families to source and implement intervention which they may need outside of school and I support staff in meeting the needs of the pupils in their care. When areas of need are identified, I make the required referrals to request support for pupils and families beyond what we can offer in school and work with a wide range of external professionals to meet the needs of the family.
In addition, I am mental health first aid trained and use this knowledge to support staff mental wellbeing. I strive to promote the importance of good mental health and how we can all support each other in our roles in school. I believe that if pupils are not mentally healthy then they are not able to learn preventing them from reaching their full potential.
My role is non-classroom based so I am readily available to support teachers, pupils and parents if needed and I have established good relationships with children and families from across the school.
I can be contacted via email:
Ghassan@willingham.cambs.sch.uk
Emotional Support Assistant (ESA) – Mrs Nicky Wolton-Carr
School will always have children and young people who are facing challenges that may distract them from their learning. We realise that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.
I have worked in this school for over 15 years in all year groups and wrap-around care. In 2019 I completed the ELSA training course run by Educational Psychologists, to enable me to deliver programmes of support to pupils who are experiencing temporary or longer term additional emotional needs.
My role is non classroom based and I can help children learn to understand their emotions and respect the feelings of others around them. I can provide time and space for students to think about how they can manage their feelings.
I am not there to ‘fix’ children but support them in developing strategies that they can then use in different situations.
I work on many different issues including -
· anger management/regulation
· friendship difficulties
· loss and bereavement
· social skills
· self-esteem
· anxiety
· recognising and understanding emotions
It can be 1-1 sessions or small groups working together and it might involve arts and crafts, Lego, social stories. We always finish with Time to Talk.
Children can be referred for support by their class teacher or their parent. I meet with Mrs Hassan – Inco – to discuss the children and their needs and we decide on a program of support for each individual.
Sessions take place in our dedicated Sunflower Room and are between 15-60 minutes long. They can be for one off check-in or run over a few weeks.
Y4 Girl – My friends are jealous because I get to come to The Sunflower Room and talk.
Y2 Boy – There are lots of things to play with in The Sunflower Room – I really like the colouring stuff.
Y5 Girl – I like coming to The Sunflower Room, I like doing activities with you – it calms me down. It’s really good to talk about my worries.
Y2 Boy – I love all of the Lego.
I can be contacted via email: