Former Pupil Officially Opens ‘The Nest’ - A Hub for SEND and Emotional Support

Class of 2025 Daniel McCall returned to Priory to officially open the new SEND and Well-Being facility, the Nest.

The Nest stands for Nurture, Encourage, Support and Talk and it’s a room dedicated to supporting and developing the social and emotional needs of our young people.

Daniel, who took GCSE Art, donated one of his paintings to be displayed in the room.

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) Mrs Eastham said: “We asked Daniel to paint a calming picture, including nature and tranquil colours, and what he produced was outstanding.

“We decorated the room thanks to a £3000 grant from the Crescent Purchasing Consortium and their ‘Give Back’ grant funding which included a new soft seating area as well as a new meeting table and chairs.”

A range of people will use the Nest, including the school nurse every alternate Monday (Medical referrals via Mrs Holland plus lunchtime drop-ins); Compass Bloom, a mental health charity in school every Tuesday (Referrals via Mrs Willis, Family Support Manager); ELSA sessions which run every Wednesday (Referrals via Mrs Holland) and School Counsellor sessions will be held Thursdays and Fridays (Referrals via Mr Shipton).

SENCo Mrs Holland said: “This was a Head of Year room which was vacant on our pastoral corridor so it was ideal to transform it into the Nest.

“Before this, our SEND and well-being sessions could be held in any room on our corridor but now this is a dedicated place where pupils know where to come to.”

Daniel said: “I worked on my painting on and off for four weeks. It’s nice to see it in the room.”