Nurture Space  

Here in Glenroe School we are very lucky to have a Nurture Space. It is a place where children can feel safe and secure and  is designed to be a bridge between home and school. Pupils are given the opportunity to participate in a range of activities in a relaxed, structured environment which promotes and supports their social and emotional development. The concept of nurture in education recognises that students’ wellbeing is as important as their academic achievements. Schools applying a nurture approach address the social, emotional and learning needs of individual students by providing help to remove barriers to learning. There is a strong emphasis on emotional literacy, language development, relationships and communication. When the barriers to learning have been addressed and children feel connected to school life, then engagement in learning follows. Working in their Nurture groups provides the children with this opportunity and helps to develop their maturity and resilience. The Nurture Schools programme provides targeted supports to students who are at risk of educational disadvantage, aimed at enhancing social, emotional and behavioural skills, attendance, engagement, resilience and self-belief.  

Our nurture groups are a school-based intervention run by Múinteoir Julie, Múinteoir Emma, Múinteoir Kate and Catherine our SNA.  Our focus is on social and emotional development, by developing positive pupil relationships with teachers, SNAs and peers in a supportive environment. Effective nurture group practice follows the six principles of nurture. Our assessment tool the Boxall Profile® determines which pupils are eligible to attend a nurture group based on their social, emotional needs. The Nurture room aims to embed a nurturing culture to enhance teaching and learning, engagement in school life and wellbeing of all pupils and staff.  Our aim is to develop a more contented, happier, more resilient and thriving school community. Nurture room sessions are themed and underpinned by the nurture principles and cover a wide range of activities and skills.

Glenroe School want to adopt a nurturing approach while working with students who have

•social,

•emotional and/or behavioural difficulties,

•attachment difficulties,

•low self-confidence,

•low self-esteem,

•low resilience,

•high anxiety,

•self-regulation and/or self-expression difficulties.

What areas do we focus on in nurture?/What is taught in Nurture Group?

•Work is of a practical nature

•SPHE Curriculum

•Social Skills

•Emotional Wellbeing

•Literacy/Numeracy

•Setting long/short term goals

•Social Skills

• Turn taking

• Working together

• Sharing

• Asking for help

• Accommodating others

Numeracy

• Children/young people who attend nurture groups have gaps in their learning

• Fine motor skills and early math's activities like threading and sorting are examples of skills

that are taught at primary level

• Baking, for example, is used to teach measurement at all levels

Gardening

• Children and young people enjoying planting bulbs and growing vegetables and flowers –

nurturing other living things