This article starts with an outline of how the core concepts of attachment, child development, neuroscience and the impact of trauma have influenced the educational landscape in Scotland. An account is provided of how key Scottish education policies promote nurturing relationships as beneficial for children and young people's wellbeing and healthy…

This explorative study analysed a selection of school OFSTED reports to answer the research question, 'how are nurture and nurture group practice represented in OFSTED reports?' This study sampled secondary school OFSTED reports over a period of one year and analysed the reports for reference to nurturing and nurture group practice. Findings…

This article builds on previous literature considering the role of educational psychology services in promoting whole-establishment nurturing approaches but with a specific focus on implementation within the early years context. It outlines work undertaken by Glasgow Educational Psychology Service (GEPS) to support the rollout of…

Nurture groups aim to replace missing early experiences by developing secure relationships in a supportive environment that aim to promote a readiness to learn and a sense of wellbeing. This small-scale, qualitative study investigated the primary nurture group curriculum based on the perceptions of pupils, parents/caregivers and staff through…

Nurture Groups (NGs) are a school-based intervention for children who missed out on healthy early attachment experiences and who, as a result, present with marked impairments in social, emotional and behavioural functioning upon school entry. Researchers have consistently found that students are significantly more likely to exhibit improvements in…

Models of nurture group best practice at primary level are now well established. In secondary schools however, best practice models are less clearly defined and guidance on establishing a successful nurture group in a secondary school is currently lacking. This research project aimed to create an evidence-based guide to opening a secondary school…

Nurture groups (NGs) were a provision first conceptualised by Marjorie Boxall in the 1960s. They have since become established in schools to support children who have experienced early attachment difficulties. There is a bank of evidence in support of their benefits to children and some evidence of the positive views of parents and practitioners.…

Current research suggests that nurture groups are an effective psychosocial intervention to support children and young people with social, emotional and behaviour difficulties. However, to date research has not examined teachers' personal opinions of nurture groups' effectiveness. The present study addresses this gap in knowledge by exploring…

In this paper the spread and direction of nurture within the context of Scottish schools is outlined. Through the process of interacting with key education stakeholders and consideration of the evidence base a picture of the development of whole establishment nurturing approaches in Scotland has emerged. The views of 27 of Scotland's 32 local…

Glasgow City Council has stated its aspiration to move 'Towards the Nurturing City' where all establishments have implemented a whole school nurturing approach. This paper seeks to document the experiences of children and parents/carers, captured through semi-structured questionnaires in focus groups, in 'nurturing establishments'. Nineteen…

Quiet, shy and/or anxious children are found in every classroom and in every school and by their nature, tend to go 'under the radar'. These children present a variety of behaviours, such as being inhibited, lacking confidence, or appearing socially anxious. For some children, their shyness can be severe and may affect their access to learning,…

This quantitative study investigates the impact of a nurture group for pupils with social, emotional and mental health needs in a secondary special educational needs (SEN) school. The researcher explores the social construction of the classroom and adaptations made to support the needs of the pupils, to analyse the impact of attending a nurture…

Nurture Groups (NGs) and Learning Support Zones (LSZs) started to operate as a pilot project in state schools in Malta in 2008. There are more than 60 NGs and LSZs in primary, middle and secondary schools in Malta, out of a total of 89 state schools, with more than a hundred educators supporting children and young people through the nurture…

Aims: In response to the Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) and the changing needs of educational establishments, pupils and families, Renfrewshire Educational Psychology Service (REPS) enhanced the existing Renfrewshire's Nurturing Relationships Approach (RNRA) with digital adaptations. This paper outlines the process. Rationale: In 2016 REPS…

In the 1960s, educational psychologist Marjorie Boxall developed Nurture Groups (NGs) in response to the growing number of children who were deprived of healthy nurturance in early life and who, as a result, were failing to cope with the demands of school. To date, research on this intervention model has consistently shown that students who attend…