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Willow Room

Safe • Happy • Learn

At Marlborough St Mary’s, every child is valued, seen and supported. Willow is our dedicated nurture room—a safe, welcoming space where children can take time to re-balance emotionally, build confidence, and strengthen the skills they need to thrive in both learning and life.

Willow supports our school values and key drivers—Read, Talk, Pride, and Marlborough—by helping children grow emotionally and socially in a space where they feel proud to be themselves and part of the school community.

🌼 What is Willow?

Willow is a calm and quiet space designed to:

  • Support children’s emotional wellbeing and mental health

  • Encourage positive behaviour and communication

  • Provide space to self-regulate and reset

  • Help children build resilience and confidence

  • Support readiness to learn and succeed in the classroom

Children may come to Willow regularly, in response to a specific need, or as part of a tailored plan. Some children use it as an incentive space, while others may benefit from time in Willow during more challenging moments.

💚 Our Nurture Approach

Willow is guided by six core nurture principles (designed around the Nurture UK principles), which underpin everything we do:

1. Learning is understood developmentally

Children are given opportunities to revisit early play and learning skills. Activities are creative, calming and fun—never pressured or competitive. Play is purposeful, helping children express feelings and build confidence in a low-demand, low-tech way.

2. Willow is a safe and predictable base

The room is warm, tidy and welcoming. It offers time and space for children to regulate their emotions, with sensitive adult support when needed. We respond to all children with consistency, warmth and unconditional positive regard.

3. Wellbeing is actively nurtured

Children are explicitly taught, shown and encouraged to practise qualities that support wellbeing—self-awareness, resilience, mindfulness, creativity, empathy and more. Every child is seen, known, and helped to feel that they belong.

4. Language is central to connection

Children are supported to talk about their thoughts, feelings and experiences. We model and encourage the use of language for emotional expression and social success, helping children develop both confidence and communication.

5. Behaviour is a form of communication

We help children understand what their behaviour might be telling them (and us). We support them to explore feelings safely, and guide them towards healthy, respectful behaviours and interactions.

6. Transitions matter

From moving in and out of Willow, to returning to class or coping with change, we help children navigate transitions smoothly. We work closely with staff and parents to provide consistent, connected support.

🌱 Additional Approaches

In Willow, we draw on a range of trusted, evidence-based approaches including:

  • Five to Thrive – Respond, Engage, Relax, Play, Talk

  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs – Ensuring safety and belonging come before learning

  • Attachment theory – Creating a secure base for children to feel safe and connected

  • Support for sensory needs and executive functioning – Helping children manage their environment and routines with confidence

📚 Useful Resources for Families

Here are some recommended websites for further reading and support:

If you'd like to know more about how Willow works or whether it might be right for your child, please don’t hesitate to contact a member of the pastoral team. We’re here to help every child feel safe, happy, and ready to learn.

 

 

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