Nurture groups are a short-term, focused intervention for children with particular social, emotional and behavioural difficulties which are creating a barrier to learning within a mainstream class.
Each group consists of between 6 to 10 children, led by a nurture group teacher and an additional adult. Children attending the nurture group remain an active part of their main class, spending appropriate times within the nurture group according to their need, and typically return full time to their own class within two to four terms.
Nurture groups assess learning and social and emotional needs and give help that is needed to remove the barriers to learning. The relationship between the two nurture staff is always nurturing and supportive, providing a role model for children. Food is shared at ‘breakfast’ or ‘snack time’ with much opportunity for social learning, helping children to attend to the needs of others, with time to listen and be listened to.
As the children learn academically and socially they develop confidence, become responsive to others, learn self-respect and take pride in behaving well and in achieving.
Support is not limited to the nurture group, as all teachers will embed the nurturing principles and practice at a whole school level, providing appropriate support for all pupils attending the school.
At St Edmund’s, our Nurture group meets 3 times per week, making excellent use of the school house.
We are proud that our Nurture programme has been recognised as an area of good practice by NASEN (National Association of Special Educational Needs).
Please click on the following link to visit the Nurture Group Network website:
Please click on the following link to visit the NASEN websites:
www.nasen.org.uk and www.sendgateway.org.uk
At St Edmund’s, the behaviour team also runs various support groups throughout school.
These groups offer support to children who need help with a range of issues from confidence building to bereavement counselling. Sometimes children need a short intensive period of support and other children may need to be in a nurture group for a substantially longer period.
Activities in support groups include model making, painting, cooking, team games and sports activities.
We discuss the children’s needs in depth with families and regularly update them on the children’s successes.