Northwood currently holds the WAS award for wellbeing in schools and will be re-certified in this in June 2024. 

We develop emotional literacy in the following ways:

• All staff have a clear understanding of the needs of our children and work hard to eliminate barriers and frustrations

• A clear emphasis on sensory integration with a qualified OT in school 1 day per week

• Weekly forest school sessions for all children in the DSP led by a qualified Forest School practitioner 

• A well rounded therapy offer - lego therapy, dog therapy, music therapy

• Emotional regulation approach and policy with adaptive interaction support for DSP children 

• Regular home-school communication through seesaw to facilitate effective understanding of children's needs

• My Happy Mind programme for special schools will be introduced in September 2024 

• Daily emotional check in routines in all DSP classes 

• Quiet spaces for children to relax and take som time out if needed - soft play, sensory light room, dark tents

• Wellbeing ambassadors (children in the DSP have been chosen to be wellbeing ambassadors) 

• Two school dogs that visit each week that children can interact with and play with 

• Emotional visuals to support communication for pre-verbal children 

• Large and small sensory playground to support wellbeing 

• Behaviour and regulation plans as needed to identify triggers and effective responses 

• Risk assessment in place where needed to understand and support the needs and safety of the children