Nurture

At Portland, we take a holistic approach to learning because we know that children need to feel safe and confident to learn and achieve their  potential. Nurture provision is accessed by children who need additional specialised support. At Portland, Nurture is at the heart of the school, and is accessed by both children and their families.  The support techniques we offer equip children with the skills to help themselves.

Lego-based therapy is an evidence based approach that aims to develop social communication skills, such as sharing, turn-taking, following rules, using names and problem-solving. Children work in groups of three with each participant having a distinct role to build a Lego model collaboratively. 

Forest School is a child-centred inspirational learning process that offers opportunities for holistic growth through regular sessions. It is a long-term program that supports play, exploration and supported risk taking. It develops confidence and self-esteem through learner inspired, hands-on experiences in a natural setting.

Play Therapy is non-directive and non-judgemental, offering children a safe place with boundaries to express their needs and discover the tools to explore their feelings and identify steps of action.

Art Imaging is directed therapy which uses the medium of art to explore children’s feelings in a safe and supportive space. The process helps children  to re-experience emotions in a way that allows them to organise their feelings and form a narrative around an overwhelming experience.

Emotional Understanding  allows children to delve into their feelings, identifying triggers and using a range of  techniques to help them understand the emotions they feel and what they can do to deal with the negative  feelings building up inside them. Children learn more productive ways of connecting with their feelings and communicating them to others.

Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) sessions support the emotional needs and development of our pupils through individualised support programmes either 1:1 or in small groups.  

Sports Nurture allows children to work together as a team to  build the skills to develop relationships with children from different age ranges. Children develop different strategies to help them understand and express their feelings positively during sport as well as building self confidence.

Cooking is also part of our nurture program at Portland as it encourages creativity.  Cooking has therapeutic value physically, cognitively, socially and intrapersonally. It encourages teamwork and provides opportunity for children  to nurture others.