Primary school earns award for its “nurturing environment”

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Cwmaber Infants School has received a National Nurturing Schools Award for promoting a “nurturing environment” within the school.

The school, which is in Abertridwr, received the award after taking part in the National Nurturing Schools Programme.

The programme is a two-year scheme which encourages schools to create a nurturing environment for pupils to learn in.

The programme is run by NurtureUK, a charity aiming to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing.

As part of the programme, the school was assessed, with a report being put together outlining the findings.

In the report, assessors said: “It was evident from the contents of the application form and the evidence folder that Cwmaber is a school with a strong focus on and understanding of positive relationships and inclusive practice.”

The report praised the “open and cheerful” approach of staff and described pupils as “happy, comfortable, confident and friendly”.

During the programme, the assessor spoke with Year 2 pupils at the school and said: “These were children who, from their earliest involvement with the school, had been supported to develop emotional literacy and intelligence and to turn confidently to adults for help and support”.

Bethan Davies, Executive Headteacher at Cwmaber Infants School, said she was “absolutely thrilled that the exceptionally warm and nurturing environment of our school has been recognised with this award”.

Aber Valley councillor John Taylor, who is chair of governors at the school, said he was “delighted” with the “impressive” award.

Cllr Taylor said: “There’s always been a nurturing ethos at the school.

“The most important thing is the pupils – staff have put them at the forefront for a long time.

“Schools should be nurturing pupils, it shouldn’t just be purely academic.”

Cllr Ross Whiting, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said the award was “much deserved”.

He said: “This award reflects the positive and important impact that the school, staff, students and parents’ commitments to a nurturing environment has achieved across the school.”

Last year, the school became the first infants school in Wales to achieve the Investors in Families Diamond award.