Nurturing Kent Programme
We delivered the Nurturing Kent Programme, commissioned by Kent County Council, to support inclusion in schools by creating and celebrating a whole-school nurturing approach.
During this three-year programme, we worked with 300 mainstream primary and secondary schools across the county to develop their policies and practices to be more inclusive. The programme was bespoke to each school and celebrated what schools already do well, as well as championed schools to improve in areas that need it, with regular guidance and support.
The journey was as big or as small as a school needed it to be to suit their needs, and worked to ensure that pupils, parents, staff and all other stakeholders understood the principles of nurture, and how they could contribute to a successful and happy school. Our aim was to support schools however they need it so that every child would have access to an education that accepts them for who they are and allows them to thrive both academically and socially.
What did schools get as part of the package?
Each school joining the programme was enrolled in our National Nurturing Schools Programme (NNSP). The NNSP is an 18-month journey, with each school developing a bespoke whole-school approach to embed a nurturing culture. It supports Quality First Teaching and Learning and promotes healthy outcomes for children and young people, focusing on social and emotional needs and development alongside academic learning.
Each school had access to our mental health assessment tool, the Boxall Profile® Online for the duration of the programme, with thorough Boxall Profile® training to support its use across the school.
Schools also received attachment and nurture group training in how to set up and run a Boxall Nurture Group® to nurtureuk recognised, and externally evaluated and accredited standards. All schools had the opportunity to attend regular networking events to discuss best practice, and also attend expert-led webinars discussing topics most pertinent to the needs of Kent pupils, as voted for by schools.
Schools received publications and resources designed to support the development of their own bespoke approach, and support them on the journey to creating their own sustainable, bespoke nurturing approach.
At the end of the 18-month programme, all schools received a complimentary one-year membership to nurtureuk for continued support in creating a sustainable future.