Nurture

Nurture groups turn children’s lives around, ensuring no child is left behind, and are also an excellent ‘sharp end’ intervention, allowing teachers dedicated time and a framework through which to work with individual children to identify whether their needs could be met in school or if another course of action is necessary, such as an assessment for SEN support.

Intent:

The aim of introducing nurture groups is to improve the outcomes for vulnerable learners and pupils disadvantaged and tackle social exclusion by ensuring that an unequal start in life does not mean an unequal chance to engage with learning. The Nurture Group will mean that disadvantaged or disengaged child have access to a nurturing intervention to equip them with the skills and resilience they need to make the most of learning and school. This will be done by supporting the development of nurturing interventions in school through training, resources and support.

Implementation:

The children are carefully selected according to their individual holistic profile of needs, identified using the Boxall Profile (a resource that gives practitioners a precise and accurate understanding of children’s educational and behavioural difficulties), whilst also ensuring the establishment of a cohesive nurture group. Social and developmental targets for each student in a nurture group are devised on the basis of the Boxall Profile.

Once in the group, a nurturing philosophy rooted in attachment theory is used to ensure that children with social, emotional or behavioural difficulties are provided with the early nurturing experiences that are vital to learning. Staff have created an attractive, safe, structured environment with a number of areas and resources designed to bridge the gap between home and school.