9. Short Debate: Wales’s whole school approach: Supporting all children to flourish, learn and succeed in schools

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:41 pm on 25 September 2019.

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Photo of Mark Isherwood Mark Isherwood Conservative 6:41, 25 September 2019

Well, we heard that 40 schools in Wales are currently on nurtureuk's national nurturing schools programme, building a whole-school nurturing approach, but also, according to nurtureuk research, in 2015, there were 144 schools in Wales with some form of nurture provision, an increase on 101 from 2007. On the work of schools in north Wales, in particular we heard reference from Jack to Ysgol Tŷ Ffynnon in Shotton, but also Ysgol Maesincla in Caernarfon—both excellent examples of settings taking a whole-school approach to nurture. I've often given attention to school exclusions, and particularly how these disproportionately impact pupils with additional learning needs. Ysgol Maesincla has seen a reduction in exclusions since it's opened its nurture groups and adopted a whole-school approach. Similarly, in Shotton, Ysgol Tŷ Ffynnon has said that during its nurture group sessions, its pupils take part in activities to develop self-awareness, build self-esteem, perseverance and positive thinking, which support their well-being, behaviour and, therefore, their learning.