Parents : Support & Guidance : Small School

Small School is part of Nailsea School’s inclusion provision. Its aims, ethos and criteria were researched and created in order to adhere to the meaning of social inclusion.

Small School was designed to care for students who, for a variety of reasons, are experiencing difficulties and would benefit from additional pastoral support, and for students who have been referred for a time of reflection and problem-solving.

For many students experiencing difficulties, the Small School is a safe haven; somewhere they are listened to, inspired and respected, away from the pressures of the classroom.

Student referrals are made via members of staff to the Small School managers who devise individualised programmes of pastoral support.

Students may come to Small School to work within a small group setting, or alone, to better understand areas with which they are having difficulty, and to talk through their problems and learn strategies for coping.

Benefits to Small School students include:

• Anger management workshops and individual programmes
• Study skills including the use of mind maps
• Crisis management including bereavement support and support for students who self-harm
• Family and friendship issues
• Personal religious reflection
• Reintegration programmes for reluctant attenders (less than 80% attendance)
• Social skills
• Learning new skills
• Post-exclusion
• National examinations venue away from the large examination room
• Managers’ liaisons with other professionals to broaden understanding and support
• Ongoing training courses for managers’ continuing professional development

Success for our students comes in many forms:
Many have met their deadlines and improved their grades as a result of reduced stress and better time management.
Some see themselves and others in a more accepting and tolerant way, which is a path towards improved interpersonal relationships.
Others have managed to cope in school a little better for just a little longer - a huge personal success and one we view as a vital stepping stone towards long term survival in mainstream school.

We are constantly monitoring our work and looking for ways to build on and expand our successes. Always careful to remain consistent in our approach, we are also keen to adapt and improve our system to the benefit of both students and staff.

Small School is located in the main block on the first floor, along the corridor between maths and Learning Support.