1. Our Nurturing Approach
What is Nurture?
The concept of nurture highlights the importance of social environments - who you're with, and not who you're born to - and its significant influence on behaviour and cognitive ability. Nurture groups offer an opportunity to learn the early nurturing experiences some children and young people lack, giving them the skills to do well at school, make friends and deal more confidently and calmly with the trials and tribulations of life, for life.
I learned to help others.
The Nurture Class – Smile Group
Smile group is a small class of eight to 10 children. They spend every morning in the group but remain part of their mainstream class in the afternoons. The group has two specially-trained staff members, a teacher and an assistant. Their task is to model courteous and supportive behaviour while making the children feel accepted and valued. There is a great emphasis on communication and the group eat breakfast together.
I learned to share!
I learned to listen to adults.
I learned to be kind to others
What children have said about nurture:
The Smile Room
This is set up very differently to a normal classroom. It is set up like a home with a living room, kitchen & dining area, learning space, role play and quiet areas.
It is a place where children feel safe, secure and loved.
“My daughter is now much more confident and out going. She has found her voice!”
parental comment after a term in nurture class.

2. Our Nurturing Approach
Nurture Groups
Every afternoon in the Smile Room
P3 – positive anger management
P4 – effective social skills
P6 – philosophy
P4/5 – Season For Growth Group
P6/7 – Season For Growth Group
P1 – P4 Nurturing Programme within the classroom
Purr-fect Skills
A resource to teach children in primary and early years the social and emotional skills they will need to function appropriately both at school and at home. Children learn through the two main characters Mimi and Jasper – 2 cat puppets!
Each class has 60 mindful minutes.
Activities to encourage calmness and positive actions
All staff have been trained in Lego Build to Express and in Nurturing Talk
P5 – P7 Nurturing Programme within the classroom
The Man in the Moon
The programme introduces the notion of philosophical enquiry and engages young people in philosophical thinking and questioning while building on their social and emotional awareness. There is also a focus upon the notion of social responsibility.