Pride
Parkwood Academy – Pride Group
The Pride group at Parkwood Academy is a group of approximately 10 mixed ability students from years 7, 8 and 9. It was originally established to meet the needs of those students were considered to be vulnerable in the secondary environment or who were in particular need of more individual attention. It is set up in a family-like environment which provides the students with a safe, secure base where they can build relationships with a small number of staff, where there is time to explore their emotional needs and develop their social skills as well as providing work at an appropriate level to meet and challenge their educational needs.
The Nurture Group is currently staffed by a teacher who has had over 30 years experience in primary and nurture groups and a teaching assistant. The students are identified for the group by considering the thoughts and recommendations of the staff from their primary schools, lesson observations in a familiar setting and a number of assessment results. Currently the group, who attend Pride for the majority of the week, still receive specialist teaching for MFL and ICT and attend mainstream lessons for science, expressive arts and PE.
As well as the 25 academic hours the Nurture staff offer some extended provision at the beginning of the school day in the form of a breakfast club between 8 and 8:50am. This enables any student [not just Pride students], the opportunity to have breakfast or just to come into the school and sit with their friends or chat to the members of staff. Many ex-nurture group students regularly take this opportunity to come in to update the staff on how they are getting on or to discuss any problems they are having. In addition to this the nurture group room is also open at break times and part of lunchtimes for those children who find the unstructured, outdoor times an ordeal.
The group has good relationships with parents and encourages frequent two-way communication.
When the students were recently asked their opinions about Pride and how it has helped them their responses are varied as the following quotes show:
‘Pride makes me feel OK. When I am in Pride I feel safe and happy’
‘I enjoy snack time and activity time because it helps me to get on with other people’
‘Pride has helped me improve my reading and maths because I can do the work now and I get more attention so I am more confident’
‘When I was in mainstream I kept getting into trouble but being in Pride has calmed me down’
‘The staff in Pride have always got time to listen to me and my opinions and they let me explain my side of the story’
‘I think Pride is helping me to get ready to go back into class lessons’
‘Pride is giving me my confidence back’
‘Pride feels like home to me!’
And finally the thoughts of the senior leaders in school.
- ‘Pride plays a critical role in supporting some of the most vulnerable students, boosting their confidence, self-esteem and preparing them to meet the challenges of mainstream classes. Throughout the six years it has been operating it has been a hugely successful resource within the Academy.’ The Inclusion Manager
