At Nailsea School we recognise that the needs of every child are different and in 2017 we launched a new scheme to provide even better opportunities for our SEND students, further encouraging them to be the best version of themselves. Initially known as The Nailsea School Inclusion and Enrichment Hub (Hub), we provide a safe and secure environment for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) where they are able to access a reduced mainstream timetable supplemented by a specialist provision to ensure that their social, emotional and sensory needs are met. Each year group class is reduced in size for the students to benefit from increased adult support.

In September 2020, our ASD Resource Base (RB) was launched. The aim of this provision is for students with an ASD diagnosis and Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) to have an extended transition into secondary school life with them ultimately being able to successfully access the main school full time. The Nailsea School Hub Intervention and Resource Base co-exist, sharing these same aims. Each child’s needs are continually monitored and assessed, a flexible approach assures that the best course of action for each child is adopted.

Unlike a traditional Special School, users of the Hub/RB have the opportunity to integrate with other non-SEND pupils; whilst the base will provide a space to help SEND pupils to realise their potential with a focus on social skills, interactions, communications and a staying safe curriculum, there is also a slightly reduced timetable with English, Maths, ICT, History, Science. Geography, DT and Ethics being taught within a smaller setting.

To ensure that pupils are not isolated from the rest of the school or their peers, there is the opportunity to attend lessons in specialist settings within the main school in subjects in the past this has included Art, Music, Drama, and PE. RB students are also part of main school tutor groups and play a full role in pastoral life at Nailsea School.

As well as providing a more sheltered learning environment within the school, the provision provides a safe, secure and low-stress environment for students to use at break and lunchtime when it remains staffed and supervised.

Nationally the attainment of SEND children is significantly lower than that of non-SEND children. The Hub aims to tackle this disparity in progress. The first of its type in North Somerset, it has been supported by North Somerset Council and is recommended by them to other schools, looking to improve their SEND offering.

Using the outdoors as our classroom, the DEN is a space for encouraging enjoyment of nature while delivering sessions tailored to the individual needs of the student. Activities generally fall under three categories: bush craft skills, gardening and environmental art, using these as mediums to address issues and build skills.  All of the activities are geared up to allow the students to succeed.

Working in the DEN is not a punishment or reward, it is one of the many support services our school offers for students that are struggling to achieve their full potential. We recognise that not all students are by nature academic, but they may have a whole host of other skills to explore and celebrate; they may have difficulty concentrating in classrooms all day but are inspired and fully engaged when being physically active in an outdoor setting.

Aims:

• Provide a safe environment where there is opportunity to discuss personal issues
• Advice on how to deal with issues / signpost to others
• Explore non-academic skills, and expand knowledge of career opportunities
• Nurture self esteem
• Promote physical and good mental health

• Help students to reflect on their progress
• Encourage involvement with the community
• Improve engagement and enjoyment of school
• Provide many opportunities to succeed
• Encourage perseverance and patience
• Empower students to make positive choices

Students referred to the DEN may have some of the following issues:

• Difficulty settling into new school (e.g. organisation, feeling overwhelmed, friendships)
• Bullying (e.g. being the bully or bullied, at school or at home)
• Challenging behaviour
• Friendships / Confidence building
• Family issues (e.g. parents separating, young carers, alcohol/drug misuse, children in care, bereavement)
• Mental health (e.g. low self-esteem, risk taking behaviour, self-harming/eating disorders)
• Team work skills