New Leaf Learning | education | Courteenhall Farms, Northampton, UK

About

New Leaf Learning is a registered charity (1202923), driven by the desire to improve outcomes for primary school aged children in Northamptonshire. We offer a nature-based, connection-focussed provision for children who are not currently engaging in learning in mainstream schools. We guide parents/carers and school staff in how to create safe spaces so that children can thrive. We pride ourselves on being a unique resource and offering the opportunity for users to engage in a variety of activities in a beautiful outdoor setting.

We are working on our website so please be patient with us! If you are a school and would like more information please contact:

Alex Preston: 07510 075644

or email: info@newleafl.com

Our Purpose:

'to promote the education and development of primary school-aged children with learning differences by providing outdoor-based education and resources for primary school-aged children.'

Contact

Services

New Leaf Learning is the home of The TRUST Programme. After 2 years of trials with primary schools across Northamptonshire, we are confident in the impact for children, parents and carers and school staff. There is excellent data to support the progress made by all three groups .

The TRUST Programme is a nature-based, connection-focussed programme which promotes the re-engagement in learning in mainstream primary schools in Northamptonshire. Based in trauma-informed educational neuroscience, children are taught about skills which improve executive function for all children. There is no need for labels, however, the programme has demonstrated success for children who have experienced trauma, have SEND or perhaps tend to go under the radar with low self esteem. There are no referral criteria, schools choose which families they feel will benefit most from some fun and learning in the outdoors! The 3 services below come together to form The TRUST Programme and are inclusive in the price (schools pay half of the total cost, the rest is currently subsidised, but we are looking for grants, commissioning, funding and donations to help keep costs to schools to a minimum.)

If you are a business who would like to support us, please contact:

Alex Preston,

Lead Teacher via: info@newleafl.com or call 07510 075644

Impact Data

TRUST for children

5 TRUST elements

T-Trying

R-Resilience

U-Understanding and empathy

S-Self -Regulation

T-Teamwork

Group provision inside and outside at Courteenhall Estate, with measurable impact. The children take part in fun activities whilst they work on the 5 key elements of TRUST. Children are assessed continuously as well as formally at the beginning and end using the headings that are applied in the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (Goodman,1997).

From September 2022, schools identified areas that they considered important in the current climate.

Children attend the nature-based provision at Courteenhall Estate, one day a week for a minimum of 5 weeks (by arrangement)

Every day the children will take part in a walk and talk, and a yoga session with an acredited provider for 45 minutes. Other activities may include elements from Theraplay, Drawing and Talking and 123 Magic. We stay abreast of current, approved research from the fields of Psychology and Education and particularly Educational Neuroscience. Children are taught strategies to support appropriate emotional regulation. The children have experiences in:

Den building, pond-dipping, slack-line, fire, drawing, crafts, whittling, feeding animals, gardening, cooking, bug hunting and more.

Total cost to schools for 5 children, 2 school adults, 2 parent sessions and assessment 5 days over 5 weeks: £1125, (subsidised)
Additional children up to 7: £200 each
Additional adults: £100 each *staffing conditions apply depending on need.

TRUST for school staff (5 days CPD)

School staff learn how anxiety affects the brain and the body, as well as mental health and wellbeing. This includes aspects of Polyvagal Theory (Stephen Porges, 1994, updated 2011) as well as current theory into childhood adversity and adverse childhood experiences (ACES). Staff will learn that strategies that work for anxiety, have also been proven to have a positive impact for children who struggle to focus or may have been diagnosed with ASD or ADHD. They will learn techniques for establishing a connected, trauma-informed learning space, inside and outside of the classroom, based on the 5 key elements of TRUST.

At least one staff member (teacher/TA) will attend for the 5 days with the children, as well as having access to the two parent sessions at the beginning and end of the course. They will be mentored by the programme lead and guided to meet the criteria for TRUST certification. *See TRUST for children for cost to schools.

TRUST for parents/carers

Parents learn key strategies for teaching self-regulation in order to support positive and effective behaviour development. They will learn the importance of nurture and connectedness in growing healthy relationships. They will have opportunities to discuss the trials and tribulations of being a parent, in a safe space! Parents will learn how to support their child in stepping outside of their comfort zone by addressing the 5 TRUST elements. We will look at Maslow’s hierarchy of need, healthy bodies and healthy minds, and the importance of good quality sleep.

Parents will attend 2X2 hour sessions at the beginning and towards the end of their child’s 5 week programme

*see TRUST for children for cost to schools

Whole Staff Bespoke Training

Whole school staff team <30 staff can attend a one off TRUST day as an introduction to the key elements. Cost to schools: £1000, or
a series of 3 X2 hour staff training sessions can be arranged to focus on behaviour, safe learning environments and trauma-informed practise. Sessions will enable the school to incorporate and embed the TRUST elements throughout the school, with opportunities to develop bespoke individual safety plans. Cost to schools: £1,000

Send enquiry and book