The Family Centre
The Spring Family Centre – Aspire, Contribute, Explore
At Springfield Primary School, we are proud to offer The Spring Family Centre — a dedicated space where families, pupils, and our pastoral team can work together in a safe, supportive environment. The Spring Family Centre is at the heart of our school's commitment to working with families to promote wellbeing, attendance, positive behaviour, and safeguarding. Our team offers a warm and confidential setting where parents and carers can access a wide range of support services.
Our pastoral offer is designed to provide compassionate, tailored support that helps children thrive both academically and emotionally. We deliver a range of interventions to meet individual needs, including THRIVE, ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), and Drawing and Talking therapy. Support is available on a 1:1 basis or through small group work. Alongside our in-school team, we work with a Child Wellbeing Practitioner to provide additional specialist support, ensuring families can access the right help at the right time.
We also run parent group sessions throughout the year, offering advice, guidance, and a chance to connect with other families. Our Little Springers Family Group welcomes parents with children of any age to enjoy play opportunities and activities together in our warm, friendly setting.
At The Spring Family Centre, we believe in working together with families to build strong foundations for happy, confident, and resilient children. Through Early Help and strong partnerships with external agencies, we can connect families with the right services at the right time. Whether it’s mental health, housing, finances, or other challenges, we’re here to help. The Family Centre also offers assistance with school uniform, ensuring every child feels part of our school community and ready to learn.
Family Centre Offer
Young Carers – Monthly
In the Centre we run a monthly session for our young carers. These sessions are for young children who help care for a family member. Activities are based on what the children like to do which often involves arts and crafts.
Breakfast Club – Daily
Each day from 8.30am, Breakfast Club runs in which children are offered a breakfast before school. This not only provides the first meal of the day, but time for children to spend time with each other - invite only.
Surplus to Supper Food Bank – Every Tuesday
Every Tuesday, Surplus to Supper Food Bank deliver food to the Centre for collection in the afternoons.
Little Springers Toddler Group – Every Friday
Little Springers is a free toddler group which runs from 9.15-10.15am every week, offering littles ones music, arts and craft and imaginative play opportunities.
Cygnets Programme
Starting in January, Barnardo’s are running the ADHD Cygnets Course for 8 weeks on the following dates:22nd January, 29th January, 5th February, 12th February, 26th February, 5th March, 12th March and 19th March, 9.00-10.30am. More information about the programme can be requested, including booking on to the course via emailing info@springfield.surrey.sch.uk.
Family Fun Arts and Crafts - Monthly
Free Family Fun sessions take place each month for children aged 0-4, from 8.45am to 10.00am. The dates for these are: 11th December, 20th January, 10th February, 16th March, April (date TBC), 9th June and 6th July.
Surrey Mind Works – Ongoing
We are fortunate to have a permanent mental health team at Springfield. Surrey Mind Works are in school every Tuesday and Thursday, supporting children with anxieties, friendships, self-esteem and more. Referrals can be made through the school, GP or parent. More information can be requested through emailing info@springfield.surrey.sch.uk.
Toy Exchange Library – Monthly
Each month the Family Centre rub A Toy Exchange Library at 3.00pm. Parents can choose a toy to borrow for one month. Toys must be signed out and returned at the next toy library event. The dates for these are: 27th November, 17th December, 15th January, 12th February, 12th March, 16th April, 21st May, 18th June and 9th July.
Free Uniform Stand – First Week of Every Month
During the first week of each month, the free uniform stand is available outside the Centre entrance. Families are welcome to take any uniform they may need.
Lost Property - Every Friday
Lost property will be place outside the KS1 entrance every Friday, all day.
NAS Coffee Morning – 2nd December
NAS will be hosting a coffee morning on 2nd December, offering support and advice for parents of children with autism. Everyone is welcome to come along.
Family Coffee Mornings – Every Monday and Tuesday
Each week the Family Centre is open from 8.45-10.00am for families to come in for refreshments and a stay and play with the children. This affords time to meet members of the school community, whilst children play together.
The Spring Club - lunchtimes, daily
For children who might find the playground overwhelming the Spring Club operates from the Family Centre, offering a play environment which enables children to build friendships and feel safe.
Child Wellbeing Practitioner
Surrey Mindworks Child Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) plays a vital role in supporting pupils’ emotional wellbeing and mental health. They work closely with school staff to identify children experiencing mild to moderate difficulties such as anxiety, low mood, or challenging behaviour. Through short-term, evidence-based interventions—often using low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy techniques—the CWP helps children develop coping strategies and resilience. They also provide psychoeducation, guided support for parents and carers, and collaborate with wider services like Mental Health Support Teams and Primary Mental Health Workers. By being based in school, the practitioner ensures early, accessible support that promotes positive mental health and enables children to thrive in their learning environment.
East to West
East to West is another service we provide to our pupils. They provide help and support to children with worries and anxieties, helping children to build resilience and use strategies to help with worries. This is a school-based referral service and runs every Monday until the end of term.
In the event that you have concerns about a child and are not able to contact the school for advice, you may find the following numbers useful:
Childline - 0800 1111 - available for children under 19 years
Young Minds Parent Helpline - 0808 802 5544 - available Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4pm
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters - This site includes useful articles and resources on several topics including tips for looking after children's mental health, wellbeing advice and strategies to support working from home, loneliness and anxiety.
https://youngminds.org.uk/ - This site provides advice and resources to support mental health and wellbeing in children and teens.
https://www.themix.org.uk/ -This site provides advice and support for young people up to the age of 25, with more mature subject matter and content including mental health, managing finances, homelessness, job seeking, relationships and starting university.
www.headspace.com/meditation/kids - This has some free meditations suitable for children.
Barnardo’s See, Hear, Respond service allows families struggling to cope with the impact of Coronavirus to self-refer for help and support:
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/see-hear-respond?utm_source=14%20August%202020%20C19&utm_medium=Daily%20Email%20C19&utm_campaign=DfE%20C19
The following websites provide support and resources for children and families following a bereavement:
https://www.winstonswish.org/
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/coronavirus-and-mental-health/#i-have-lost-a-loved-one-due-to-coronavirus
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/coronavirus-supporting-children
Following an upsurge in cases of sexual harassment and abuse reported on the “Everyone’s Invited” website and TikTok, there is a new helpline to support potential victims in education settings. The dedicated number 0800 136 663, run by the NSPCC, will provide both children and adults who are victims of sexual abuse in schools with the appropriate support and advice. This includes how to contact the police and report crimes if they wish. The helpline will also provide support to parents and professionals too.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is a UK wide charity dedicated solely to preventing child sexual abuse. They run an excellent website: https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk with a learning programme, straightforward advice and short videos on topics such as family safety plans and what to do if your child does get into trouble online. There is also a confidential helpline: 0808 1000 900.
We would advise that parents visit sites themselves prior to sharing with their children to ensure they are happy with the subject matter and content.
