The Eden is Norman Street Primary School’s bespoke enhanced provision for children with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs. It is an extension of our high-quality mainstream practice, created to provide the children who need it most with greater security, consistency, and skilled adult support. Eden is a place where children can feel safe, build trust, and develop the emotional foundations they need to thrive — both in school and beyond.
At the core of The Eden are three guiding principles:
These principles act as golden threads running through everything we do. They shape our ethos, our routines, our decision‑making and our interactions with children.
In The Eden, we aim to:
We understand that children’s earliest experiences can significantly shape their emotional development. Our staff take time to understand each child’s story and identify unmet needs or skill gaps. We continually reflect on our practice, asking:
“What does this child need right now? Do we need to continue as we always have, or could we try something different?”
Children in The Eden work closely with trusted adults who are among the most experienced and knowledgeable members of our staff team. They bring specialist training in SEMH, emotional literacy and relational approaches, and understand the importance of building emotional ‘currency’ — the trust and connection that helps children feel safe enough to learn.
Our generous staffing levels allow for:
This means we can respond quickly to children’s changing needs and create personalised pathways through learning.
We view behaviour not as something to be punished, but as a form of communication. Through this lens:
We recognise that some children may not yet have developed the self-awareness, empathy or cause‑and‑effect thinking needed to understand the consequences of their actions. Because of this, our approach is rooted in flexibility and natural consequences, paired with clear, firm and consistent boundaries delivered with compassion.
The Eden is staffed by practitioners who:
Mainstream class teachers remain central to each child’s journey. They act as a bridge between The Eden and the child’s base class, supporting reintegration and ensuring every child continues to feel part of their wider classroom community.
Learning in The Eden begins with the child. We focus on making the curriculum work for the learner, not the other way around. Each child has an individual learning plan that:
We firmly believe that:
“You have to Maslow before you can Bloom.”
In other words, children need to feel safe, regulated and connected before they can engage meaningfully in learning.
The Eden is more than a provision — it is a place where children experience safety, connection and success every day. By combining skilled staff, nurturing relationships and a carefully tailored approach, we help children develop the essential skills they need to flourish both inside and outside the classroom.
If you would like to learn more about The Eden or visit our provision, please contact the school office. We would be delighted to share our approach with you.
The Bothy is Norman Street Primary School’s enhanced provision for children with Multiple or Severe Learning Difficulties (M/SLD). It is a calm, nurturing and highly personalised learning environment designed to help every child grow, flourish, and reach their full potential.
At The Bothy, we understand that children with SLD learn in unique ways. Their strengths, interests, and sensory needs shape everything we do. Our provision is built around a rich, structured, and visually supportive approach that enables children to feel secure, confident, and ready to learn.
We use visual supports, schedules and cues throughout the learning environment. These help children understand routines, communicate their needs, make choices, and develop independence. Visual clarity helps children feel safe and confident as they navigate their day.
Strategies such as Attention Autism and “Bucket Time” are part of our daily practice. These approaches support children’s attention, communication and interaction skills in highly motivating, engaging sessions that are accessible to all.
Every child at The Bothies follows a personalised learning journey. Targets, activities, and resources are matched carefully to each child’s developmental stage, interests, and abilities. This ensures progress that is meaningful, achievable, and celebrated.
The Bothies provide dedicated sensory areas designed for regulation, exploration and relaxation. These spaces ensure sensory needs are met proactively, helping children feel calm, safe and ready for learning.
Our experienced and specialist staff team offers close, responsive and expert support. A high staff-to-child ratio allows us to adapt quickly, personalise learning, and ensure each child receives the guidance and encouragement they need throughout the day.
Our staff are skilled in understanding each child’s individual ways of communicating and expressing themselves. Their practice is grounded in:
Every achievement — no matter how small — is valued and celebrated. We work closely with families and class teachers to ensure that each child’s needs are met consistently and that they feel included, known and supported across the whole school.
The Bothies are more than a provision — it is a warm, carefully crafted environment where children can feel confident, secure, and understood. By combining expertise, creativity and compassion, we ensure that every child experiences success and continues to thrive in their own unique way.
If you would like to learn more about The Bothy or arrange a visit, please contact the school office. We’d be delighted to share our approach and show you what makes this provision such a special part of Norman Street Primary School.
