Primary school nurture groups at Scoill Ree Gorree and Peel Clothworkers’ School have gained the prestigious Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award – bringing to eight the number that have achieved the ‘gold standard’ for nurture practice. The award, which comes via the Nurture Group Network UK, recognises quality of practice. It is named after Marjorie Boxall, an educational psychologist who worked in inner London schools in the 1970s and founded the principles of nurture groups in response to the challenges presented by the children she worked with. Nurture groups are small, homely classes that offer children a safe, secure environment, with a tailor-made curriculum and a carefully planned routine – usually for just part of the school week and over only two or three terms, explained Dave Colley, School Improvement Adviser for Special Educational Needs. The emphasis is on addressing ‘missed experiences’ in early life and developing models of trust and self-worth that promote learning. Mr Colley said the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award represented the ‘gold standard’ for nurture group practice. To gain it, nurture teams submit to Nurture Group Network UK a detailed file of evidence that records the quality of their provision over a significant period of time. Groups are then externally assessed. Achieving the award confirms that children are receiving support that is of the highest standard. The nurture room at Scoill Ree Gorree is named Archie’s Room after Archie, a former PAT (Paws as Therapy) dog that visits to work with, and is a firm favourite with, the children. Twenty children use the nurture group, some for just a couple of lessons a week and others for half the school week. Stuart Dobson, Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Education and Children, presented the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award to pupils and staff at Scoill Ree Gorree at a special assembly today. Archie, nine, who is owned by nurture teacher Janetta Taylor, took his place proudly on the photo. Jacqueline Barrow, Headteacher, said: ‘The whole school is delighted to receive this award and congratulates, in particular, the staff of Archie’s Room for the hard work that has resulted in them receiving this recognition. We pride ourselves on being a nurturing school and it is good to have this confirmed by receiving this prestigious award.’ At Peel Clothworkers’ nurture group, children benefit greatly from the input they receive from two full-time members of staff, who encourage them and celebrate their successes, acting Headteacher Anna Jackson said. ‘Parents are always welcome to drop in to discuss any concerns that they may have with the nurture group staff. They are invited to join us for breakfast, an afternoon snack and to support us on educational visits or even share a particular talent. ‘We are absolutely delighted that our nurture group has been awarded the Boxall Quality Mark, which could not have been achieved without the support and teamwork of all our colleagues in school, and we look forward to continue using our skills within this nurturing environment to further encourage and help the children of Peel Clothworkers' School.’ Nurture groups at Murray’s Road, Willaston and Victoria Road Primary Schools and Ballacloan, Auldyn and Ballaquayle Infants’ Schools have already received the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award. The remaining three primary nurture groups will apply for the award next year. Ends