Throughout this academic year, we have been working towards achieving accreditation from Nurture UK’s National Nurturing Schools Programme. This project recognises our commitment to prioritising children’s wellbeing and the impact that this can have on their success as learners and forms the basis of our universal provision for children's (and staff) wellbeing within our school. Nurture UK describes the nurturing approach to education as giving children the ‘social and emotional skills to do well at school and with peers, and develop their resilience and capacity to deal more confidently with issues they may face’. (Nurture UK, 2023). 

The Six Principles of Nurture

Everything we do is guided by the Six Principles of Nurture. For example, we are taking part in the National Nurturing Schools Programme which is based on the Six Principles of Nurture. These have successfully underpinned nurturing approaches for over 50 years. 

Nurture in the classroom

We use and access a range of tools and resources to address pupils’ social, emotional and mental health needs. By developing an inclusive, whole-class approach, it allows us to support all of our pupils.

Throughout the school day (in the classroom or in small groups), we help children develop the skills they need to engage with their learning and make the most of their time at school.

The strategies teachers use include:

• Making time for social and emotional learning, either during targeted PSHE lessons (Jigsaw) or by embedding it throughout the curriculum.
• Giving pupils the opportunity to practice their social and emotional skills, for example by encouraging them to work in pairs and groups.
• Modelling good social and emotional skills themselves, when interacting with pupils and other staff members.
• Monitoring the social and emotional wellbeing of the whole class, using assessment tools like The Boxall Profile®.

The Graduated Approach to Nurture

Our graduated approach to nurture ensures that every child in the school has the opportunity to flourish in their education. It ensures that every child has access to the support they need, when they need it. 

Through this approach, we work to measure and support the social, emotional and mental health of all children, so no child falls through the cracks.