Skip to content

Nurture Hubs and Trauma-Informed Forest Schools

Creating safe spaces where children can belong, learn and thrive

At Walsall Virtual School, we recognise that children who have experienced trauma, adversity or disrupted attachments may need additional support to feel safe, develop positive relationships and engage successfully in education.

As part of our BUILD programme (Belonging, Understanding, Inclusion, Learning and Development), we are working in partnership with schools to develop nurturing, therapeutic and inclusive environments that support children's social, emotional and educational development.

Our Nurture Hubs and developing Trauma-Informed Forest Schools offer opportunities for vulnerable children, particularly children with a social worker and children in care, to build confidence, develop emotional regulation skills and experience positive relationships in supportive environments.

Nurture Hubs

Our Nurture Hubs provide safe, structured and supportive environments within mainstream schools for children who experience social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

All five of our established Nurture Hubs are accredited by Nurture UK, recognising their commitment to high-quality nurture provision and the application of the six principles of nurture.

Our accredited Nurture Hubs are located at:

  • Lower Farm Primary School

  • Watling Street Primary School

  • Bloxwich Academy

  • Short Heath Federation

  • St John's Primary School

Working in partnership with these schools, Walsall Virtual School supports the delivery of targeted nurture provision designed to help children overcome barriers to learning, develop positive relationships and experience success in education.

Our Nurture Hubs aim to:

  • Develop children's emotional literacy, self-esteem and confidence.

  • Support emotional regulation and positive relationships.

  • Improve engagement, attendance and readiness to learn.

  • Reduce barriers to inclusion and the risk of suspension or exclusion.

  • Provide targeted support while maintaining children's connection with mainstream education.

  • Support successful transitions, particularly between primary and secondary education

    We are committed to expanding our network of Nurture UK accredited provision across Walsall, with plans to establish three additional primary Nurture Hubs and develop secondary school provision.

    We are also developing a dedicated Year 6 transition nurture offer, recognising that the move to secondary school can be particularly challenging for children who have experienced trauma, disrupted attachments or adversity.

    Our ambition is to ensure that more children can access high-quality nurture provision within their own communities, helping them feel safe, included and ready to learn.

    Trauma-Informed Forest Schools

    Learning, healing and growing through nature

    We are also developing an exciting new Trauma-Informed Forest Schools initiative, extending our commitment to attachment-aware and trauma-informed practice beyond the classroom.

    We aim to establish a network of Trauma-Informed Forest School settings across Walsall's four localities: North, South, East and West.

    Working in partnership with schools that already have established Forest School provision and qualified Level 3 Forest School practitioners, we will develop specialist outdoor programmes for children who have experienced trauma, adversity or disrupted attachments.

    Participating practitioners will undertake additional training through the Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Outdoor Leaders, enabling them to develop their understanding of how outdoor learning can support children's emotional and relational needs.

    Our Trauma-Informed Forest Schools will provide opportunities for children to:

    • Experience a calm, safe and supportive outdoor environment.

    • Develop trusting relationships with supportive adults and peers.

    • Build confidence, independence, resilience and self-esteem.

    • Develop emotional regulation and coping strategies.

    • Strengthen communication, problem-solving and social skills.

    • Experience success through practical, creative and achievable activities.

    • Develop a connection with nature and benefit from outdoor experiences that support wellbeing.

    Programmes will be delivered collaboratively by trained Forest School practitioners and Walsall Virtual School staff, providing targeted opportunities for vulnerable children across the borough.

    Our Wider Commitment to Inclusion

    Both initiatives form part of our wider BUILD programme, which brings together attachment-aware and trauma-informed practice, nurture, emotional wellbeing and specialist support for schools.

    By investing in school staff, developing local expertise and creating supportive environments, we aim to strengthen schools' capacity to meet children's needs and reduce reliance on exclusionary approaches.

    Our ambition is for every vulnerable child to have access to adults who understand their experiences, environments where they feel safe and valued, and opportunities that enable them to achieve their potential.

    Building the foundations for every child to belong, learn and thrive.

    Interested in Working With Us?

    We welcome enquiries from schools interested in developing Nurture Hub provision or becoming a partner in our Trauma-Informed Forest Schools initiative.

    For further information, please contact Walsall Virtual School through our usual contact channels.