Welcome to The Nest!

2025 – 2026

Mrs Bailey - Specialist Teacher 
 Mrs Amvrosiadi, Mrs Rickard, Miss Gregory, Mrs Oldham, Mrs Wain, Mrs Sweet - Teaching Assistants

Spring 1

As part of our ‘Knowledge and Understanding’ topic, we have been investigating weather changes through hands‑on, practical activities.

During our topic work, we have been exploring our physical features and creating detailed self-portraits. We have also been learning about families through small-world continuous provision activities, interactive learning experiences, and by looking at our own family trees.

Throughout this term, we have been developing our early writing skills through a variety of engaging activities. We have taken part in Write Dance sessions to strengthen our arm muscles, and we’ve enjoyed making marks using water, paint, chalk, pens, and pencils.

During our Phase 2 phonics lessons, the children have been practising identifying and naming a range of objects before sorting them according to their initial sounds, helping to strengthen their early phonemic awareness.

In DT, we have been creating our own bear caves using a variety of materials. The children have been focusing on selecting and using tools with purpose and developing their practical skills.

In Spring 1, we have been focusing on developing our understanding of pattern. We began by matching identical objects in a range of different scenarios, helping us to recognise similarities and differences. We then moved on to completing patterns using blocks, shapes, paint, and even music. The children have also enjoyed engaging in matching games and interactive activities, which have supported and extended their learning in a fun and meaningful way.

Autumn 2

We were very excited to visit Conkers Winter Wonderland. From travelling in the Santa Express train to Elf Village, walking through the enchanting Winter Wonderland Forest where we saw singing reindeers to sitting in Santa’s sleigh! It really was a truly magical day that we will never forget.

Hot Chocolate Station – A Sensory and Mathematical Adventure!

One of the most popular continuous provision activities in our Nest SEND class this half term has been the Hot Chocolate Station. Pupils have loved exploring and experimenting with mixing and combining different materials, investigating the changes and effects along the way. This hands-on activity has also provided fantastic opportunities for developing mathematical understanding. Children have practiced filling and emptying containers of various sizes, problem-solving when there’s too much or too little liquid, and even role-playing as café staff and customers! Through these imaginative scenarios, some of our Nest pupils have engaged in rich discussions about mathematical language, money, and cost, all while having fun in a warm, inviting environment.

The Nest pupils have enjoyed preparing delicious Christmas pudding biscuits to sell at the Christmas Fayre this half term. Each child used their individual communication aids to support independence throughout the activity, ensuring everyone could take part confidently. The festive project was packed with multiple cross curriculum learning opportunities. Pupils explored scientific enquiry by observing how chocolate changes from a solid to a liquid when melted. They also developed fine motor skills by carefully picking up and placing tiny holly decorations on each biscuit. Following simple instructions helped strengthen attention and understanding skills, while working together as a team supporting their Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Most of all, the children had a great time whilst learning. 

Embedding Communication across the Curriculum

The children in The Nest have been working hard to develop and embed their understanding of communication exchange throughout all areas of learning. Using a range of tools such as objects of reference, symbol cards, and communication boards, they are building essential skills to express choices, share ideas, and engage meaningfully in activities. These strategies support inclusive learning and ensure every child has a voice within the classroom.

Autumn 1

The children have been joyfully exploring musical instruments through creative expression. They’ve been listening closely to the sounds around them and experimenting with the different tones and rhythms they can create.

In the Nest, every voice matters. During our Communication Café time the children use their own special communication aids tailored to their individual level of understanding of communication exchange.

We have been supporting early reading development through a structured approach using both phase 1 wordless books and phonic phase books, tailored to each learner’s readiness. Children exploring the phase 1 books are focusing on the environmental sounds around them. Children focusing on other phase phonic books have been working hard to embed reading fluency and comprehension skills.

This half term, children in the Nest have been busy developing their early mathematical thinking through hands-on classification activities. The children showed great curiosity and focus as they investigated sorting objects and items.