TWO more Island primary schools have gained the prestigious Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award.
Scoill Ree Gorree and Peel Clothworkers have received the award, which comes via the Nurture Group Network UK, for their nurture groups.
Nurture groups are small and homely classes that offer children a safe secure environment with a carefully planned routine. This is usually for part of the school week and over only two or three terms.
The emphasis is on addressing missed experiences in early life and developing models of trust and self-worth that promote learning.
The award recognises quality of practice and is named after Marjorie Boxall - an educational psychologist who worked in inner London schools in the 1970s. She founded the principles of nurture groups as a response to the difficulties presented by the children she worked with.
The nurture room at Scoill Ree Gorree is called Archie's Room. Archie is a former Paws as Therapy dog who visits the room to work with the 20 children that use the nurture room – some for a few lessons a week and others for half of the school week.
Headteacher Jacqueline Barrow 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."
Anna Jackson the acting headteacher at Peel Clothworkers said: "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.
"We look forward to continue using our skills within this nurturing environment to further encourage and help the children of Peel Clothworkers' School.
"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."
To gain the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award schools are required to submit a detailed file of evidence that records the quality of provision over a significant period of time, to the Nurture Group Network UK. The nurture rooms are then externally assessed.
These awards mean eight schools in the Island have now achieved the gold standard for nurture practice.
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.
Picture caption: Stuart Dobson, chief executive officer of the Department of Education and Children presents the Marjorie Boxall Quality Mark Award to headteacher of Scoill Ree Gorree Jacqueline Barrow (c). Also pictured are nurture teacher Janetta Taylor, nurture assistant Sheila Smart and Archie the dog.
