Welcome to the NEST

This is a new initiative in school that has been set up and launched in September 2025.

The NEST room is a dedicated space within the school, designed to promote emotional wellbeing, resilience, and self-regulation for both the pupils and staff.  Its purpose is to provide individuals with a safe, calming and structured space in which they can process emotions, reduce stress and engage in restorative programmes.

In an educational environment, academic success and personal growth are deeply connected to emotional stability and mental health. By providing a calming supportive space the NEST room directly contributes to a positive school culture where learning, teaching and relationships can flourish.

Strengthening school culture and community

By recognising the emotional needs of the pupils and staff, the NEST room reinforces the school's commitment to mental health, inclusivity and proactive care. It cultivates an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and better prepared to engage in teaching and learning.

The layout and function of the NEST room

The NEST room has been carefully designed to provide emotional security and prioritises the safeguarding of pupils and staff.

The NEST operates in line with the school's safeguarding and child protection policies. Supervision is always maintained and resources within the room are carefully selected to ensure safety.

The layout, furnishings and routines are intentionally designed to create a predictable and reassuring atmosphere while also allowing appropriate levels of privacy and reflection, supporting the school's ethos of care, safety and respect.

A safe and predictable environment

The NEST room offers a consistent, non-judgmental space where pupils and staff can step away from stresses and regain a sense of calm. The predictability of the environment reduces anxiety and fosters feelings of safety and belonging.

Emotional regulation for pupils

Pupils experiencing heightened emotions, trauma responses, or behavioural challenges benefit from access to sensory tools, calming strategies and guided interventions in the NEST room. This reduces disruptions in learning and empowers students to develop long term self-regulation and coping skills. Time slots for pupils will be on a structured timetable, with planned interventions in addition to the emotional support systems throughout the whole school. 

Emotional support for staff

Teaching and supporting young people can be emotionally demanding. The NEST room also serves as a wellness space for staff, providing a refuge for reflection, stress reduction, de-compression and restorative practises. This supports staff resilience, reduces burnout and models the importance of self-care within the school community. 

A resource for intervention and skill building

The NEST room can host small group and individual interventions and structured activities that build social-emotional learning skills. It supports collaboration between educators and other professionals in addressing students’ holistic needs.