An example of practice: Castlewood Primary School

Castlewood Primary is a one-form entry school located to the south of Horsham. It has a below average number of children receiving free-school meals and is not currently supported by the mental health support team, Thought-Full.

The school’s behaviour data highlighted that there were increased numbers of children who would benefit from a quieter, smaller alternative-provision space.

The evidence behind nurture spaces in schools suggests that they can provide a safe, quiet space within a busy school “to allow children time to talk, share or be calm.”

Although the budget was modest, the ambitions were broad and the headteacher, Kirsty Anstee-Brown, had the following objectives for the space:

1. A reduction in behaviour incidents related to dysregulation
2. Improved emotional wellbeing and resilience among targeted pupils
3. Stronger, more trusting relationships between pupils and staff
4. Greater inclusion, with more pupils able to remain in class and learn alongside their peers
5. A sustainable model of support that is both practical and cost-effective for our school context 

In order to keep within the budget constraints a mobile classroom was re-purposed for the space, which was renamed as The Beach Hut.

In designing the space, the voice of the pupils who would use it was important, as was the advice given by advisory teacher teams from the local authority. From this input it was decided that the space would need equipment that facilitated play-based learning, as well as providing opportunities for emotional regulation and relationship building.

Co-designed with the children, the space provides a calm, safe environment for children to learn, build relationships, and develop emotional regulation skills.

In addition to creating the physical space, an important part of the project was to ensure that key staff received training in SEMH needs, nurture principles, and emotional regulation strategies.

An initial pilot of the space was carried out with a group of identified children with SEMH needs. Outcomes for these children were tracked against the Six Strands Curriculum, as developed by Hampshire County Council . This tool supports schools to track children’s progress in the following areas:

• boundaries
• resilience
• focus
• respect
• self-regulation
• independence

This work helped to ensure that the provision (both the physical space and the interventions offered) supported the initial aims of the project in the pilot phase, before being implemented more broadly.  

Once the pilot project had proved successful a process was put in place by which progress is reviewed on a weekly basis and selection of pupils can be discussed. As this is a targeted provision, the main users of the space are those with identified SEMH needs, as well as those from disadvantaged cohorts, such as care-experienced children and young carers. However there is also availability in the timetable for adhoc use of the space. 

The continued monitoring of The Beach Hut’s use has demonstrated positive outcomes for the children using the provision, as well as the wider school community.

Increased engagement in learning

Pupils who participated in the Beach Hut were able to remain in their classrooms and engage positively with their learning, compared to before the intervention.

Reduction in dysregulation

There was a noticeable decrease in the number and severity of emotional outbursts and dysregulation incidents, both within the Beach Hut and in mainstream classrooms.

Better emotional management

Pupils showed improved ability to identify, express, and manage their emotions. Staff observed children independently using self-regulation strategies learned in the Beach Hut.

Positive staff feedback

Staff reported greater confidence in supporting SEMH needs, and parents noted improvements in their children’s emotional wellbeing and resilience.  Moreover, they are able to teach the rest of the class without the disruptions of the other pupils who have significant additional SEND and behavioural need.