Wellbeing and Enrichment
Wellbeing at NEST
Our students’ wellbeing at NEST is central to our ethos. We understand that our students need nurture. Many of our students are separated young people and all have had to leave their countries of origin, so the pillars of NEST, ‘Safety’, ‘Belonging’, ‘Success’ (Ravi Kohli, 2011), underpin everything we do. All students have a tutor that they meet with twice a day in small tutor groups. This allows tutors to get to know their tutees well and develop trusting relationships. NEST tutors are experienced in noticing subtle changes in a student’s presentation that may indicate there is an underlying issue, big or small, that needs addressing, if they are going to experience success in their studies. Self-esteem and a sense of worth are key and the NEST curriculum is designed to encompass both academic and personal development.
The school values of respect, responsibility, resilience, honesty, empathy and kindness are also recognised as an important aspect of life at NEST. Students focus on a different school value each half term and weekly certificates are awarded to a student or students who are seen displaying the value. This allows recognition of progress in how students interact, communicate and behave around NEST.
Enrichment at NEST
The extensive enrichment curriculum at NEST gives students opportunities to develop skills alongside their ESOL and maths classes. Our enrichment afternoon offers students the chance to take part in STEM projects, to extend their literacy work through art, to work on their performance skills in music, learn life skills in textiles and to work with Notts County on the NCS programme. Whilst these opportunities also develop English vocabulary and communication, they encourage problem solving and more practical skills.
The health benefits of sport are valued at NEST and all students are offered an afternoon of sport, off site, where team building, resilience and strategy are developed but most importantly, students have fun. Alongside the timetabled sport, staff have made links with other sporting venues across the city and students have the opportunity to play cricket at Trent Bridge, experience karate, go bowling, footie golf, adventure golf, archery, climbing and the high ropes trail at Holme Pierrepont, which always tests staff and students alike!
Staff at NEST are keen to engender a sense of belonging, not only at NEST but in Nottingham and the UK. Staff organise a variety of trips including to the local library to sign up for a library card, to join workshops at the art galleries in and around Nottingham, the university, restaurants to experience different flavours and cuisines, the cinema and the pantomime to name but a few. Not only does this showcase what is available in Nottingham but also provides opportunities to incorporate British Values within the curriculum.