What is Nurture?
At Leadgate Primary School, we place nurture at the heart of everything we do. We believe that children learn best when they feel safe, valued and understood. A nurturing approach recognises that emotional wellbeing, relationships and a sense of belonging are fundamental to successful learning and development.
Nurture is an evidence-based approach that focuses on the important role relationships and environment play in supporting children’s social, emotional and mental health. It helps children to develop confidence, resilience and the skills they need to engage positively with learning and with others.
Our Whole-School Approach
At Leadgate Primary School, nurture is not something we “do” in isolation it is part of who we are. We adopt a whole-school approach, meaning that nurturing principles underpin our ethos, our curriculum and our day-to-day practice across every classroom and every part of school life.
This means that:
- Every member of staff takes responsibility for supporting children’s emotional wellbeing
- Strong, positive relationships are prioritised between staff and pupils
- Classrooms are calm, consistent and predictable environments where children feel safe
- Teaching is adapted to meet the social, emotional and developmental needs of all learners
- Children’s voices are valued, and they are supported to express their feelings
- Behaviour is understood and responded to with care, consistency and understanding
By embedding nurture across the school, we ensure that all children benefit from a supportive, inclusive environment that helps them to thrive both academically and personally. Our approach is continually shaped by our pupils, our families and our community. We recognise that every child’s experience is different, and we are committed to removing barriers and helping every child feel ready to learn and succeed.
Nurture Principles
Our approach is guided by the six key principles of nurture, which help us to support every child effectively:
1. Children’s learning is understood developmentally.
2. The classroom offers a safe base.
3. Nurture is important for development of self-esteem.
4. Language is understood as a vital means of communication.
5. All behaviour is communication.
6. Transitions are significant in the lives of children.
If you are interested in finding out more about Nurture, please visit www.nurtureuk.org
Our Nurture Provision
Our Nurture Group is a small group of up to 12 pupils Nurture provision offers a short term (between 2-4 terms), focused, early intervention strategy, which addresses barriers to learning arising primarily from social, behaviour, emotional or well-being difficulties, in an inclusive and supportive manner. Children follow a structure and routine that is clear to both staff and children which includes group listening and speaking, work tasks from their teacher, individual and shared playing and social skills. The group runs on consistency, positive reinforcement and praise. The group will help to boost confidence and self-esteem, improve social skills and help develop independence. It aims to support pupils:
- To engage, listen and concentrate.
- To work together , sharing taking turns and building resilience. To build friendship and make connections with each other.
- To form happy, safe relationships with others
- To experience and practice the development of positive relationships
- To have opportunities to talk about and understand their feelings.
Children who access nurture provision attend 3 x 2 hour sessions per week.
The best part is the shared activity because we get to work in groups.
It helps me be creative and use my imagination when playing.
Nurture is the best.