The Nest

What is the Nest and why do we have it?

At Staverton CofE Primary School, we respect each and every child for their unique selves. We aim to be a school that values not just academic progress, but also social, emotional and personal growth within the children that we teach. This ethos comes from our Christian vision based on the parable of the mustard seed, that big things grow from humble beginnings.

Furthermore, we understand that in national statistics the rate of children developing mental health difficulties has grown in recent years[1]. Evidence also shows us that wellbeing is highly important to learning and attainment, high levels of wellbeing are associated with improved academic outcomes. As a school, we wish to care for and nurture the children in our school and support them through any difficulties they might experience.

Therefore, in 2023, we decided to develop a wellbeing room to address these needs. The Nest is a safe space, where children can access targeted interventions aimed to support social, emotional and mental health concerns. While wellbeing is a whole school approach which is not limited to one room, this space will allow children to explore and grow socially, emotionally and enable them with tools to prevent any future mental health issues.

Aims

To support the needs of all of our children.
To promote mentally healthy habits for our children.
To provide a safe space to discuss difficult topics.
To create a sense of belonging and acceptance for all of our children.
To support parents and our local community with social, emotional and mental health needs.
To provide tailored support for a wider range of children.
To support children who cannot access specialist support.
To help boost confidence and self-esteem by acknowledging achievements and recognising strengths.
To assist children in developing their knowledge, skills, understanding, capabilities and attributes which they need for their social, emotional, mental and physical wellbeing.
To show understanding and treat children individually, promoting positivity, respect and trust

Please see our Nest policy for more information

[1] Please see Mental Health of Children and Young People in England 2022 – wave 3 follow up to the 2017 survey (https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2022-follow-up-to-the-2017-survey)