Ritchie opens new nurture classroom in West Belfast

Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie today opened a new nurture classroom at St Luke’s primary school in Twinbrook, West Belfast.

DSD has provided Neighbourhood Renewal funding of over £19,000 for the fit out of the new classroom which includes a kitchen, soft seating and play areas to create a home from home learning environment.

The classroom is designed to provide a more familiar and informal environment than a traditional classroom for children aged 5-6 to explore and learn. It will concentrate on emotional and social development as well as academic progress.

Margaret Ritchie said: “Nurture groups promote emotional, social and intellectual support for pupils while keeping them in close contact with their everyday class. The first few years of a child’s life has a profound effect on their future development and life chances. Making sure that the needs of children are met as they start primary school is, therefore, of utmost importance.

“The facilities at St Luke’s will allow a programme of early intervention in an area of social and economic disadvantage, and help to ensure children in the Colin Neighbourhood Renewal Area are given every chance to achieve their potential.”  

Notes to editors:

1. Nurture Groups were started in 1969 by Marjorie Boxall, an educational psychologist employed by the Inner London Education Authority. The aim was to engage children with emotional, behavioural and social difficulties at their individual developmental stage and support them in meeting learning goals step by step. Nurture groups usually consist of classes of 10 to 12 children with a teacher and an assistant.
2. DSD Neighbourhood Renewal Fund provided the £19,226 total cost for the fit out of the new Nurture classroom in St. Luke’s Primary School. Big Lottery contributed funding of £188,548 over a three year period for the revenue costs of the Nurture project as part of a wider Neighbourhood Empowerment Project in the Colin area, which has secured nearly £1million from the Big Lottery Fund’s Live and Learn programme.
3. Media enquiries to DSD Information Office on 028 9082 9078. Out of office hours, please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715440 and your call will be returned.
4. The event in pictures