Specialist support at Chestnut Park Primary

Children at Chestnut Park Primary in Croydon are benefiting from the school’s new specialist provision, which is supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

Phoenix Class is run by a team of specialist teachers at the school using the Nurture UK training programme, which aims to help children develop ‘connections and resilience’, leading to ‘improved behaviour, increased attendance and better attainment’.

“We have welcomed children from Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, where the smaller class size serves as a crucial element, fostering an environment where children can benefit from enhanced access and more personalised adaptation to their learning journeys,” explained Phoenix Class teacher Hayley Boothe. 

“This includes developing their social and emotional skills, speech and language, as well as their attention and listening.

“This provision reflects our commitment to inclusivity and ensuring that every student receives the tailored support they need to thrive both academically and socially.”

“Learning is not always presented in a traditional way,” she continued. “It is more project based, where the children are able to explore the learning in various ways, through art, design and technology.

“Our practice in the classroom is centred around supporting the children’s social and emotional needs. We do a lot of activities and talk around our feelings and emotions, the expression of these, and what strategies we can use to help manage big emotions, such as anger, and lessen the more explosive responses that they may experience. 

“This term the children have been working on their space-themed projects through a range of activities, helping them to build resilience, self-esteem, perseverance and teamwork – all key skills that are needed to equip them for everyday learning.

“We have already started to see a positive change – not only for the children who attend Phoenix Class, but also in the wider school environment.”

Educational charity Nurture UK was founded over 50 years ago, and its National Nurturing Schools Programme helps staff ‘embed a nurturing culture and ethos throughout an educational setting’ and ‘focuses on pupils’ emotional needs and development alongside their academic learning’.

Besides Mrs Boothe, Chestnut Park has two specialist Teaching Assistants, and a further four members of staff who are currently undergoing or have already completed the Nurture Uptake training, including Executive Head Rachel Jacob and Head of School Sarah Rumbol.

“Initiatives like this are vital,” said Mrs Rumbol. “We have over 100 children on our SEN register, with lots of these children suffering from social, emotional and mental health conditions due to significant past trauma. The provision has improved this greatly.”

As a member of the GLF Schools Multi-Academies Trust, Chestnut Park has also received wider support.

“Chestnut Park Primary has one of the most diverse communities within GLF Schools,” continued Mrs Rumbol. “We are well aware of the challenges our families and our community face every day, and we aim to be a beacon of positivity within the environment.

“Recognising our need for support, the GLF Schools’ Foundation has partnered with organisations including The Tim Henman Foundation, Chicco Foods, and The Tree Council to provide opportunities and experiences to our children which they would not otherwise have access to.”

Other GLF initiatives have included enabling Chestnut Park pupils to participate in the prestigious Music for Youth Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, the provision of Christmas boxes and food parcels, and facilitating access to the Opportunity Fund, which helps children to access trips and activities that would not otherwise be open to them.

“Looking ahead, we are working with the Foundation to transform our outdoor space into a vibrant city garden, so all our children have access to green space and nature,” added Mrs Rumbol. “In addition, we will also be introducing a fully-funded performing arts performance of Gulls and Buoys, complete with professional music mentorship.

“We are extremely grateful to the Foundation for its support of Chestnut Park, and it is fantastic to see the impact on the children and the school community.”