A FOREST school has become the first in Gloucestershire to be presented with a prestigious national award for the way in which it helps children who have difficulties in traditional classrooms.

The nurture group at Yorkley School has been presented with the Marjorie Boxall Quality Award by the Nurture Group Network. 

Headteacher Mrs Kate Burke said nurture  was suggested in 2013 by a member of staff who had experience of it as a way of  addressing the social and  behaviour needs of a small group of children.   

She added: “However that’s not what we use nurture for now. Nurture is part of the ethos of our school.

“It’s part of the package we offer both boys and girls – it’s made a huge difference to all our children, their families and the community. 

“Nurture isn’t a quick fix, it’s certainly not where naughty children go.  

“We don’t have naughty children in our school, we have children who at times choose the wrong behaviour. We guide them to choose the right behaviour.” 

Children from the nurture group – which is run by teacher Mrs Carole Phillips and teaching assistant Mr Jamie Frost

– gave a performance showing a typical day for an audience of parents.  

The presentation was also attended by three former nurture group pupils who are now at the Dean Academy. 

One of them, Tony Williams, said: “If it wasn’t for nurture, I wouldn’t have passed my SATs. Nurture helped me to be the person that I am today. It helped me to settle into Dean Academy.”

Governor Dr Alan Castle said: “As governors we are very proud that our village school is the first in Gloucestershire to achieve the Marjorie Boxall Quality Award.

“This is a prestigious national award and reflects the hard work of all staff, particularly Mrs Phillips and Mr Frost, in developing the nurture group. 

“Nurture includes an area for work, a home area, a small kitchen and a calming down tent. 

“To an outsider it could look as though difficult children are given special treatment.

“In the afternoon they play games, participate in new activities and at the end a drink and some toast. I can assure you there is far more to the nurture group than this.

“It is not an easy option for the children and its success can be measured by the number who have graduated from nurture. 

“The nurture group provides opportunities to develop confidence, self esteem and social skills. It consists of a group of children with a wide range of needs who are not achieving their full potential.

“The group has high expectations and clear boundaries.”