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#931 Ready to Learn – The Beeches Primary

Sarelle Payne

What did we do?

I identified 4 children in school who struggled to feel settled at 9am upon coming into school. I decided to set up a club they could attend, run by one of our TAs, where they would have half an hour in the Learning Lounge with games, activities and comforts to enable them to feel happier coming into school and therefore more settled at 9am and ready to learn.

“It makes me want to come to school because it’s exciting, I look forward to it.”

A child in year 1.

Summary of impact

Feedback from both the children and the TA who works with them is great. When I asked the member of staff to complete a feedback form she was happy to share outcomes. I asked if they thought the group had had a positive impact on the start of the school day the response was “Yes! They’re totally changed, they no longer cling to a parent or come in sad missing their parent. It gives us time to talk about our lives, show we care.” When asked if there had been an impact on anything else they said “They skip to class when we go to drop off, they’re more independent around school and confident with each other and other adults”

Steps taken

I identified the children by observation and talking to class teachers, TAs and our Thrive Practitioner. I then decided on a number of activities such as yoga, games, building, sensory play that would give them an opportunity to try lots of different things so they could be flexible with what they wanted to do each day depending on how they feel as each day is different for each child. I purchased the items, agreed to pay for the staff member to work an extra 2.5hrs per week and to meet the children together in the same place each day. The staff member we recruited to do this is one of our most consistent faces in school and I knew that she would be a fantastic person to lead this group. The children get snacks and drinks during the group if they want them too. We decided to stick to a small group with the view that one day they may graduate from the group and open up opportunities for other children who may later be identified in a similar way. A small group means they won’t be overwhelmed and can build new friendships easily with each other too.

What would we do differently

It sounds too good to be true but honestly we wouldn’t change anything at the moment. This group is working so well and it’s manageable all round.

Resources required

I spent money on resources which are now available long term. They’re stored specifically for the use of this group. I spent time helping to sort out a garden area for their use on nice days which includes a water fountain, speaker and music player for sensory input and pond dipping equipment. We have bought bird baths and feeders so they can enjoy nature in what is otherwise a built up estate. We also pay the TA for her time involved with the project.

See how others have implemented this Big Idea

Sensory Circuits - St Marys Catholic Primary Ipswich

Supporting Behaviour and SEMH to reintegrate into the classroom - Grange Primary School

Identifying Emotions and Managing Self-Regulation - St Joseph's Catholic Primary

Maths Interventions for Inclusion and SEND - The Willows Primary

Philosophy Sessions - Harwich Community Primary School & Nursery

Supporting anxiety in children and parents - Spring Meadow Primary School

Securing Engagement Through SEL - Clifford Road Primary

Securing Engagement - Spring Meadow Primary

The Learning Behaviour Lead role - Ravenswood Primary School

Putting EEF "Learning Behaviours" guidance into action - Halifax Primary School

Securing Engagement - Alton Park Junior School

Removing the literacy barrier to learning - Clacton County High School

Wellbeing Workshops - Westbourne Academy

1-1 Support to Improve Engagement and Grades - One Sixth Form

Improving Behaviour with Projection Education - Trimley St Martin Primary School

Establishing a nurture space - The DEN at Trimley St Martin Primary School

The Inclusivity of EAL families within our School Community. - St Margaret's Primary School Ipswich

EAL Parental engagement at Northgate High School

Being a Learning Behaviour Lead - Ipswich Academy

Improving Handwriting - Clacton Coastal Academy

Reading and Phonics at Dale Hall

"Club Aspirations" improving self esteem and confidence at Rushmere Hall Primary

Improving learner confidence in handwriting and spelling - Clacton Coastal Academy

Improving behaviour and engagement in a nurture group - Alton Park Junior School

Tackling lunchtime dysregulation and classroom focus - Castle Hill Primary School

Finding the right intervention to support engagement - Murrayfield Primary Academy

Contacts

The Beeches Community Primary School

Sarelle Payne

Reading Advocate