Senior Mental Health Leads - The National Nurturing Schools Programme

Course details

Course code: SMHL128
Duration: 12 -18 months
Fee: RRP £3,000, Special offer for this academic year £2,500*
Format: delivered and assessed online
Group size: up to 12 delegates (6 schools)

* cost is split in two payments: £1,500 upon booking and £1,000 a year later

You could also be eligible for a grant of up to £1,200. Please see the Eligibility tab for more details.

If you are interested in this course, please email us at [email protected].

Course overview

The National Nurturing Schools Programme helps SMHLs to systematically embed a culture of nurture and mental health and wellbeing support throughout the whole school. The programme is underpinned by Quality First Teaching, the Six Principles of Nurture and the Boxall Profile® (a two-year subscription to the Boxall Profile® Online is included in this bundle).

The National Nurturing Schools Programme helps SMHLs to look at a school’s ethos, its policies and procedures and its commitment to supporting pupils to achieve their best, and aids them to evaluate strengths and opportunities for improvement based on the needs of their setting.

SMHLs are supported by a team of expert consultants to enhance their school’s ethos and practices in a manageable and achievable way.

The programme uses clear standards addressing the needs and requirements of the following:

  • Stakeholders: teachers, additional school staff, parents, pupils and the wider community.
  • Service Delivery: provision for additional needs included SEMH, the curriculum offer, pupil’s ability to access learning, additional enrichment activities.
  • Leadership and Management: the quality of leadership and management, effective communication, school policies and procedures.

SMHLs and schools who adopt the Six Principles of Nurture and use the Boxall Profile® are assessed and awarded the National Nurturing Schools Award. 

Accompanying resources:

  • 24 month school subscription to the Boxall Profile® Online - unlimited assessment for your setting 
  • Access to two Boxall Profile® Competencies Course (e-learning)
  • Beyond the Boxall Profile® Classroom Strategies publication
Course dates

You can select Cohort 1 or Cohort 2 dates, however all dates are fixed and will require attendance.

Please note the short delivery times are twilights and are not during the school day.

M1 - A whole school approach (includes intro to SMHL)
Time needed: 3 hours live training
Date: 7th March 2024, 9am - 12pm

M2 Rationale - Attachment theory and neuroscience, Resilience and vulnerability
Time needed: 3 hours of live training
Date: 18th March 2024, 9am - 12pm

M3 - Areas for development and programme resources
Time needed: 4 hours of live training
Date: 26th March 2024, 9am - 1pm

2 month review - Staff Development Managing Change
Time needed: 1.5 hours of live training
Date: 16th May 2024, Twilight 4pm - 5:30pm

Webinar - Parents, Families and Carers
Time needed: Live webinar - 1 hour
Date: 20th June 2024, Twilight 4pm - 5pm

Enabling Student Voice
Time needed: Live webinar - 1 hour
Date: 15th July 2024, Twilight 4pm - 5pm

4 month review with a focus on nurture principles and self-assessment
Time needed: 1.5 hours of live training
Date: 11th July 2024, Twilight 4pm - 5:30pm

6 month review with a focus on Beyond the Boxall Profile®
Time needed: 1.5 hours of live training (afternoon sessions x2 for one cohort)
Date: 19th September 2024, Twilight 4pm - 5:30pm

8 month review with a focus on curriculum and learning
Time needed: 1.5 hours live webinar (afternoon sessions x2 for one cohort)
Date: 14th November 2024, Twilight 4pm - 5:30pm

12 month review
Time needed: 1 hour consultancy
Date: 13th March 2025

What will I learn?

This course will include learning about:-

  • Module One : A whole school approach to learning
  • Module Two: Rationale
    • Attachment theory and neuroscience
    • Resilience and vulnerability
  • Module Three: Areas of development and programme resources
  • 2 Month review: Staff development managing change
  • 4 month review: Nurture principles and self assessment
  • 6 month review: Beyond the Boxall Profile®
  • 8 month review: Curriculum and learning
  • 12 month review: Bespoke 1: 1 self assessment review and planning for the award submission

In addition there will be learning focusing on:-

  • The Six Principles of Nurture: A whole school approach 
  • The Boxall Profile®: A whole school approach 
  • Parents, families and carers
  • Enabling student voice
  • Nurturing peer supervision 
Assessment

N/A - there is no assessment for this course.

Eligibility

This course is suitable for beginners and is applicable to primary, middle, secondary, special education and alternative provision contexts. It will be delivered and assessed online, with self-paced and real-time elements. The course is designed for two participants per school, one of whom should be a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

As we are a Department for Education (DfE) assured provider, you may be able to access funding of up to £1,200 if your application is submitted for courses starting before 31 March 2025. Grants are available for state-funded schools and colleges in England - to find out if your school is eligible, please see the DfE’s terms and conditions. If you are eligible for funding, please complete the following steps:

  1. Complete the first stage of the DfE grant application form to reserve your grant.
  2. Once you have received email confirmation from the DfE, book your place and pay for your course.
  3. Once booked, you will need to complete the second stage of the DfE grant application form in order to claim your grant. You will need to upload your booking evidence at this stage.
  4. After you have uploaded your booking evidence, you should receive funding from DfE at the next quarterly payment schedule.