A Safe Space to Grow
Established in January 2017, ‘Cub’ is our dedicated nurture room, offering additional support to pupils who need it. Whilst originally created for our younger learners, Cub is now available to all pupils across the school who would benefit from targeted nurture support in a calm, welcoming environment. Cub is available at both our Stevenage and Dunstable sites.
A Soft Start to the Day
We recognise that not every child finds it easy to launch straight into the school day. Many of our pupils benefit from a soft start – a gentle, reassuring beginning that helps them feel settled, safe and ready to learn.
Cub provides this vital space, helping children to regulate their emotions, build confidence and transition positively into their school day.
What Happens in Cub?
Cub is run by experienced members of staff who plan sessions using a nurture-based approach. Activities are carefully designed to promote key social and emotional skills, including:
Taking turns and sharing
Building friendships and positive relationships
Developing trust with adults and peers
Learning and practising good manners
Understanding and managing behaviour
Supporting transitions around school
Developing fine motor skills
Structured Sessions with Purpose
Each child in Key Stage 1 has planned sessions per week. Children typically attend in small groups of three, usually with peers of a similar age, ensuring a personalised and supportive experience.
Throughout the week, pupils engage in a variety of enjoyable activities including:
Playing board games and cooperative games
Creative art projects
Building with Lego and construction toys
Cooking – a firm favourite! Children love preparing food and taking home what they’ve made to share with their families.
The Impact
The children are thriving and thoroughly enjoying their time in Cub. The nurture approach is proving highly successful and beneficial to all involved, helping pupils develop the social, emotional and practical skills they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
Whether it’s easing into the day with a calm activity, learning to work as part of a team, or simply having a safe space to be themselves, Cub plays a vital role in supporting our pupils’ wellbeing and development.
At Larwood, every child gets the support they need to flourish – and Cub is just one of the ways we make that happen.