The Nurture Centre provides a short-term, focused intervention for children with particular social, emotional and behavioural difficulties which are creating a barrier to learning within a mainstream class.  The Nurture Centre is lead by a Nurture trained teacher and classroom assistant and each group consists of between 6 to 10 children, normally from Years 1 to 3. Children attending the nurture group remain an active part of their main class, spending appropriate times within the nurture group according to their need, and typically return full time to their own class within two to four terms.

Nurture staff assess learning and social and emotional needs and give help that is needed to remove the barriers to learning. The relationship between the two nurture staff is always nurturing and supportive, providing a role model for children. Food is shared at ‘breakfast’ or ‘snack time’ with much opportunity for social learning, helping children to attend to the needs of others, with time to listen and be listened to.

As the children learn academically and socially they develop confidence, become responsive to others, learn self-respect and take pride in behaving well and in achieving.

The Nurture Centre is available to children from all Key Stages in small group afternoon sessions if they are identified as needing further nurture support. Groups are organised by age or need and the children enjoy up to three sessions per week of social and emotional activities.

Nurture support is not limited to the nurture group, as all schools will embed the nurturing principles and practice at a whole school level, providing appropriate support for all pupils attending the school.  In addition to the nurture provision staff all members of the school teaching and support staff team have had nurture training, and provide nurturing support to all children across the school.  Teaching staff and assistants model positive relationships and there is an emphasis on the development of language and communication skills. The key social skills needed to be successful are taught to the children through whole class and small group activities.  This whole school 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. They are given the opportunity to re-visit early nurturing experiences to enhance their emotional well-being.  Nurture is also one of the 6 school values reflective of the ethos of St Brigid's Nursery, Primary and Specialist Provisions.