NEST
I want to say how amazing it is that I am here, if you have told me a year ago that I would be coming in for extra lessons, being in school, and doing my GCSEs, I would have laughed at you. At one point, my anxiety was so bad, I wouldn’t even leave the house, and yet here I am, getting the bus to school and sitting my actual GCSE exams, and feeling fairly confident about them!
Year 11 NEST Student
Welcome to Newhaven Educational Support Team (NEST)
At Newhaven School our values are ‘Trust, Restore and Achieve’ whereby we aim to build relationships with pupils that grow trust and support the restoration of psychological health which enables our pupils to achieve to their fullest potential. NEST is a provision within Newhaven School which educates secondary students who are unable to attend mainstream school due to their severe and enduring psychological health difficulties.
Whilst we firmly believe that mainstream school is the best place for all students, due to the broad academic offer, we understand this is not always accessible when students are struggling with psychological health difficulties. When a mainstream school and CAMHS refers a student to NEST, we liaise with them to create a plan to address the student’s educational and psychological needs. At times, some pupils may return to mainstream school, following a period in the provision. If a return to mainstream is not possible then we can support students, through a comprehensive curriculum, to achieve their aspirations. There is a strong commitment to ensuring that students are able to transition successfully to their chosen post-16 destinations. This transition is fully supported through our close working with post-16 providers.
The academic offer for KS3 students is the opportunity to learn English, Maths, Science, Humanities, ADT and Drama as well as attending Forest School. At KS4 we offer core subjects as well as two options (currently Art, Food, Performing Arts and PE) which allow students to develop in areas of interest. We also afford an opportunity to study at a local sixth form college one day per week, assisted by Newhaven staff (current options are Building Services, Music Technology, Catering and Art). All courses lead to externally accredited qualifications which can be offered at GCSE level or equivalent. A significant amount of planning is undertaken with the student, their parent/carers and multi-disciplinary professionals to ensure academic success.
At NEST we believe in the value of helping students to gain wider world experiences and cultural capital through a variety of trips and excursions which support the curriculum.
The staff within Newhaven School have competencies in managing a wide range of psychological health and neurodevelopmental needs, based on a Trauma-Informed Approach. The aim being that NEST provides a safe and secure base from which students can learn to regulate their distress, reflect on their psychological health and build relationships within the school community. We believe that this provides an important foundation to engage with learning and achieve academically.
To ensure all of our students are effectively safeguarded, NEST has strong relationships with health and social care services and liaises regularly with multi-disciplinary professionals to ensure that existing care plans are followed.
NEST is a friendly and nurturing provision, with specially trained staff, a strong inclusive ethos and an environment where learning, psychological health and destinations are at the forefront of everything we do.