In September 2023, Thomas Gray expanded and The Nest was created. The Nest is a collection of 4 designated SEN units which is attended by 45 children with a range of special educational needs. The Nest is a fantastic addition to Thomas Gray which celebrates diversity and ensures that all our children have what they need to thrive.
The Nest consists of four classrooms which cater for a wide range of special educational needs of children from Two Years Old to Year 6. Our classes are called; Robins (2 years – Reception), Owls (KS1), Sparrows (KS2) and Ravens (KS2)
Robin Room
The Robins classroom caters for children aged 2 – 5 years old with a primary need of social communication difficulties. It consists of two classrooms which have their own sensory and calm down rooms and a shared kitchen, toilet area, and outdoor area with brand new sensory swings. Our 7 two year old children attend the morning session and our 7 three year olds attend the afternoon session in the first classroom. Our 5 Reception age children access the second classroom full time. An Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) is required to access a Reception place within the Robin room.
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Owl Room
The Owl room is a classroom for 10 Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2) children with a primary need of social communication difficulties. The children are supported by one teacher and four teaching assistants. The children access to a range of continuous provision, adult led group work and 1:1 activities. Children in the Owl room have their own sensory room, sensory circuit and sensory swings to help the children to meet their sensory needs and regulate their emotions. An Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) is required to access the Owl room.
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Sparrow and Raven Rooms
The Sparrow and Raven rooms are two 8 place Key Stage 2 classrooms for children with primary needs of Social, Emotional and Mental Health and Cognition and Learning. The children are supported by one teacher and two teaching assistants in each classroom. Both classrooms include quiet intervention spaces and sensory rooms. There is a emphasise on understanding and managing emotions throughout the day within the classrooms and this is supported with the use of ‘Zones of Regulation.’ An Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) is required to access the Sparrow and Raven rooms.
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Click here to see more of our Raven Room
Each classroom with The Nest classroom has its own state of the art sensory room which the children can access with the help of skilled staff to meet their sensory needs or regulate their emotions. We also have quiet areas outside the classrooms as well a kitchen and snack area which children can access with staff throughout the day.
Teachers within the Nest work closely with a range of professionals e.g. educational psychologists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and inclusion consultants to ensure information is shared and interventions/therapies are purposeful and personalised.
Thomas Gray prides itself on its inclusive learning environment which enriches social communication and development. Because of this, children who attend the Nest will join with their peers from the mainstream classes whenever possible and appropriate as it is important that all of our children feel valued and part of the Thomas Gray family.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
Pupils being admitted to The Nest at Thomas Gray Primary School will meet the following criteria:
- Have an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) describing a range of needs
– Robins (EYFS) and Owls (KS1) – Social communication needs (ASD diagnosis is not a requirement)
– Sparrows and Ravens (KS2) – Social, Emotional, Mental Health needs -
Will be academically functioning significantly below their chronological age
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Will be aged from Reception to Year 6
