Squirrels Class

What is Squirrels Class?

Squirrels Class is a Nurture Group which runs every afternoon (Monday-Thursday) for a small group of pupils selected from Year 1 and Year 2.

The aim of Squirrels Class is to support children to think about themselves in a positive way, to express their feelings and to develop their learning skills.

The Nurture Group Principles

The Nurture group is built on the 6 principles of nurture –

1. Children’s learning is understood developmentally

2. The classroom offers a safe base

3. The importance of nurture for the development of self-esteem

4. Language is a vital means of communication

5. All behaviour is communication

6. The importance of transition in children’s lives

Ref: Lucas,S., Insley,K. and Buckland,G. (2006) Nurture Group Principles and Curriculum Guidelines Helping Children to Achieve, The Nurture Group Network.

Squirrels Class is designed to offer pupils opportunities to promote and support their social and emotional development, in a warm and creative learning environment. The children are encouraged to build their self-esteem, develop confidence, form and sustain friendships and grow in independence and maturity through a variety of exciting, practical learning activities.

Staff

Squirrels Class is overseen by Mrs Rycraft (SENDCo) and led by Miss Blazi, Mrs Mattin and Mrs Southwell. The Nurture Group team work collaboratively with the pupils’ class teachers to ensure that they are reinforcing learning, meeting targets and supporting progress.

What happens in Squirrels Class?

In Squirrels Class the children enjoy a range of learning activities, closely linked to their class topics and in line with any targets that they are working towards. Activities include Phonics, numeracy and literacy skills, team work, expressing creativity through art, craft, music and drama, cookery and outdoor learning. All activities are planned to encourage the children to use their communication skills, build strong relationships with their peers and promote positive self-esteem and wellbeing.

Parents

Parents are encouraged to be as involved as possible and termly craft and sharing activities are organised where parents and carers are invited to come into school and share the Squirrels experience with their child. Meetings with parents are held at the end of each term to discuss how the children are progressing, in addition to normal consultation evenings.