(UK) Bracknell elem school adds special needs facility; "increasing number of pupils struggling with full-time, mainstream schooling"

May 7, 2025, Bracknell News: Bracknell Primary school opens new facility to help pupils

New school

A new facility has opened at a primary school to help pupils with special educational needs.

The Nurture Nest at Wooden Hill Primary and Nursery School in Bracknell offers a dedicated space for its pupils who, for many reasons, might struggle in a mainstream classroom. . . .

Wooden Hill Primary and Nursery School, like many schools in England, has an increasing number of pupils struggling with full-time, mainstream schooling.

Its proportion of pupils diagnosed with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has almost doubled in the past year, and they are also seeing more mental health challenges..

The school’s usual support functions - including one-to-one learning assistance, or periods of respite in a quiet space - could not scale up to meet this need within the confines of its 48-year-old school building.

Pupils needing time out of the classroom had few alternatives, meaning more disruption occurred within the classroom, or pupils worked in isolation in a corridor or small side room. . . .

In February 2024, Wellington College launched the Big Ambition grants competition to help fund an extraordinary local school improvement project. . .

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"It was our pleasure to provide the funds needed to set-up this innovative facility."

The school fundraised hard to provide ten per cent of the budget and just over one year later, the Nurture Nest is ready.

Ian Garner, headteacher at Wooden Hill Primary and Nursery School, said: "The Nuture Nest is a fantastic extra resource for us. . . .