Education Minister impressed by Pomeroy school’s nurturing ethos

A POMEROY school which has developed a key nurturing programme for its pupils in the past five years has highlighted the importance of their work to the Education Minister, Michelle McIllveen.

The Stormont politician visited St Mary’s Primary School to view its facilities and work to help the local pupils.

It is one of a large number of schools which are not funded by the Department for Education to provide ‘Nurture Groups’. These groups provide more support to children who are already facing significant challenges and who have social, behavioural, emotional and wellbeing needs.

The Minister’s visit came as she announced a further investment of over £3m this year to establish 16 new Nurture Groups across the North. Among the 16 new Nurture Groups to benefit is Primate Dixon in Coalisland.

Tina Hinfey, acting principal of St Mary’s, said that their journey in providing the Nurture Groups was one which merited funding. She welcomed the Education Minister to the school and conducted a tour which included showcasing its activities and facilities.

“We were pleased to welcome the Minister to the school and very much appreciated the opportunity to show her the work being done here at St Mary’s,” Mrs Hinfey said.

“There is a real need for nurturing facilities in the primary sector and especially in rural schools such as ours. It is about a journey towards helping the emotional health and wellbeing of all pupils, and particularly those who are especially in need.”

The Minister has said that the expansion of the Nurture Group programme had been brought forward earlier than planned.

“This investment will help these schools to provide more support to children who are already facing significant challenges and who have social, behavioural, emotional and wellbeing needs,” she added.

“Nurturing is a key element in supporting our children to make the best start in life and help to improve their educational outcomes.”

As well as viewing the work that the school has done through Nurture Provision, the Minister was also treated to singing from the entire school and went on to tour the school, meeting both staff and pupils.

She said that nurture was at the very heart of St Mary’s and that she had very much enjoyed her tour.