Godstone Primary and Nursery School is proud to be part of the National Nurturing Schools Programme, which supports the social, emotional and mental health needs of our children by embedding nurturing principles throughout our practice. As a school, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where every child can thrive.

The Nurture approach is underpinned by quality first teaching and the Six Principles of Nurture, promoting healthy outcomes for the children by responding to their emotional needs. The six principles of Nurture are:

• Learning
• Safety
• Behaviour
• Wellbeing
• Language
• Transitions

What does this look like at Godstone Primary and Nursery School:

• We recognise that all behaviour is communication and deal with behaviour in a consistent manner following our behaviour policy. Within the policy, reflection time is built in to give the children time to think about the events that led up to their behaviour choice and what they could do differently next time. 
• We offer the children plenty of opportunities to talk about their thoughts and feelings. Worry boxes are available in all classes. This is one of the ways children are able to share their feelings with adults and reach out for support. 
• We use Zones of Regulation with the children. This allows children to develop self-regulation skills by categorising their emotions. These are linked to the characters from Inside Out.

 

• Children's successes are recognised and celebrated in various ways, including certificates, verbal praise, house points, and core value stickers.
• We listen to children’s thoughts and opinions through School Council and Wellbeing Ambassador meetings and circle times.
• We have a team of children, known as the Wellbeing Ambassadors. These children meet regularly to drive forward initiatives, events and fundraising opportunities.  They have also been involved with the design, costing and implementation of the Calm Corners and the Calm Cave.
• Every classroom has a Calm Corner. These are available for children to access if they feel they need some time or space to regulate their emotions. Within these, the children have a range of resources to help them return to the green zone, where children are regulated, ready for learning and in control.

• We also have a Calm Cave available for children to access if they are struggling to regulate within the classroom environment. This dedicated space has a wider range of supportive resources such as mood lighting, sensory equipment, emotion-themed stories, and soft furnishings to help promote emotional regulation and wellbeing.

• Every classroom uses a visual timetable to support children in recognising the sequence of events through the day and prepares them for upcoming transitions.
• Social stories are used widely across the school for a range of purposes. Stories can be used to prepare children for specific events and new experiences, which could cause anxiety, for example, moving into a new year group or a school trip. They are also used to explain behaviour expectations using simple vocabulary and pictures.
• We have a trained ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) who works with individual children to support their emotional development. The ELSA helps children explore and develop strategies to cope with life’s challenges.
• When teachers plan to deliver the curriculum, they consider the varying emotional and social needs of the children.
• Time for Talk and Friendship Clubs are available for children to access during lunchtimes. These provide a supportive space where children can build social skills, develop friendships, and talk about any worries they may have in a safe and nurturing environment.
• A variety of breathing techniques are incorporated throughout the school day to support a calm learning environment and equip children with self-regulation strategies they can use when needed.

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