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Nurture Groups in Schools
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Nurture Groups in Schools
Principles and Practice

Second Edition


May 2010 | 256 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd

Unique in its field, the second edition of this respected book continues to underpin teaching in a positive, structured, and proactive manner. Sylvia Lucas has revised and expanded on the original work of Marjorie Boxall. It includes:

  • A new chapter on nurture groups and pedagogy, child development theories and brain research
  • Updated examples such as the Every Child Matters agenda, an inclusive curriculum and schools' responses, 'and a practitioner's physical contact with the child
  • A Case study from an international Nurture Group

This accessible book will be useful to school managers, SENCOs, educational psychologists and teachers and therapists in specialist settings.

Marjorie Boxall originated the concept of nurture groups and was a founding member of the Nurture Group Network. NGN members run accredited courses at Cambridge University, Leicester University and London University. The NGN also runs courses in many Local Authorities.

Sylvia Lucas is a founding member of the Nurture Group Network and now coordinates the work of the University CPD Group. She undertakes a range of consultancy in primary practice and school leadership both in the UK and abroad.



 

Tony Cline
Preface to the Second Edition
 
PART ONE: INTRODUCTION TO NURTURE GROUPS
 
Overview
School Expectations

 
Children's Difficulties: Their Nature and Origin

 
The Basis of Nurture Work: The Teacher's Primary Task

 
Earliest Learning: A Summary Chart

 
Growth, Not Pathology: The Central Tenet

 
The Classic Nurture Group and Some Variants

 
 
40 Years on: New Research and Nurture Groups
The Context

 
Pedagogy

 
Developmental Psychology

 
Developments in Neuroscience

 
Intuition

 
The Nurture Group Network

 
 
PART TWO: NURTURE GROUPS IN ACTION
 
The Organization of Experience
The Boxall Profile

 
Attachment and Support

 
Structuring the Way Ahead

 
Experiencing Achievement

 
 
The Internalization of Controls
Structure and Organization

 
Learning Behaviour: General Guidelines

 
 
Disruptive Behaviour: Nature and Management
Temper Tantrums

 
Fights

 
 
Earliest Learning Experiences
Earliest Needs and Interests: The Nurture Curriculum

 
Play

 
Food

 
 
Becoming Independent Learners
An Inclusive Curriculum

 
The National Curriculum

 
Growth Towards Personal and Social Autonomy

 
 
PART THREE: SETTING UP A NURTURE GROUP
 
School and Community Cohesion
Gaining Informed Support

 
The Nurture Group's Professional Profile

 
Responsibilities and Relationships

 
Relationships beyond the School

 
Positive Attitudes and Ethos: A Rewarding Experience

 
 
School Improvement: Planning for a Nurture Group
The Appropriate Model

 
Preparing an Action Plan

 
The Nurture Group Room

 
Organizing and Equipping the Room

 
 
Assessment, Record-Keeping and Evaluation
Selection: General Considerations

 
Referral, Assessment, Admission and Monitoring Procedures

 
Return to the Mainstream Class

 
Evaluation

 

'The use of Nurture Groups is central to an intelligent and effective behaviour strategy. Where they have been used in schools the results have been very encouraging and in my recent behaviour review for the Secretary of State I was keen to support their further development. Children learn how to behave and bad habits are rarely fixed. It is the responsibility of us all to do our best to help our children acquire the skills and attitudes that will enable them to become happy members of society. Inevitably problems will arise. When they do, effective early intervention is essential. This book should be read by all those who work with children and who believe in their potential for success' - Sir Alan Steer

Author of Learning Behaviour - Lessons Learned, D.C.S.F. Behaviour Adviser

Marjorie Boxall

Sylvia Lucas