A nurture group is a focused, short-term intervention for pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties which make it harder for them to learn in a mainstream class.

Nurture groups are designed to address the social and emotional needs that can affect pupils’ learning. So as well as providing academic teaching, the group is designed to help children develop vital social skills, to develop confidence and self-respect, and to take pride in behaving well and in achieving.

In these groups, there’s a special emphasis on language development and communication: nothing is taken for granted and everything is clearly explained by the staff, with the help of demonstrations and (where helpful) physical gestures. Pupils are given the time they need both to listen and be listened to.