In July 2024, following a two-year development of our nurture provision, we were proudly awarded The National Nurturing Schools Award (NNSA). This prestigious award recognises schools that have successfully attended the National Nurturing Schools Programme (NNSP) and demonstrated excellence in fostering a nurturing culture for the children and young people in their care.

As part of our ongoing commitment to supporting children’s emotional well-being, we are proud of the role our Nurture Room plays in fostering a nurturing and inclusive school environment.

The Nurture Room is an integral part of our Inclusion and PSHE (Personal, Social, and Health Education) provision, offering children opportunities to develop their social and emotional skills in a supportive setting. Research demonstrates that children’s learning is most effective when they feel emotionally secure, have good self-esteem, and experience a sense of belonging within their school community. The Nurture Room helps children build these qualities, supporting their resilience and maturity.

This dedicated space is located in the School House area and is open to all children every lunchtime from 12:30–1:00 pm. Children are welcome to drop in throughout the week, and Mrs. Lingfield, our Worry Buster, is there to support them with any concerns or questions. Mrs. Lingfield monitors the Worry Box regularly and uses these lunchtime sessions to help children unpick any worries they may be experiencing.

We are also pleased to share that Mrs. Robertson, one of our school TAs, has been running ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) sessions. ELSAs are teaching assistants trained by educational psychologists to support children’s emotional development. 

We are pleased to continue benefiting from the expertise of Sam Riches, a Registered Play Therapist, who works in our Nurture Room every Thursday afternoon. Sam provides tailored support for small groups and individual children, helping to develop their social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH). Her work is an invaluable part of our provision, and her insights continue to enhance our staff’s understanding of SEMH needs across the school.

Our Forest School provision also remains a key element of our well-being focus. Small group sessions take place on Thursdays, led by Helen de Georgio from Righteous Oaks Forest School and Sarah Barton - our Forest School Assistant. Helen has transformed our nature area into an engaging outdoor learning space, and her sessions offer children wonderful opportunities to connect with nature, build resilience, and develop teamwork skills.

These ongoing initiatives highlight our commitment to supporting the whole child, ensuring their emotional well-being is nurtured alongside their academic development.

At Wittersham, we remain committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where every child can thrive.