The nurture room

At Queen of Angels primary school in Sandydord, Co Dublin, teachers assess the social and emotional needs of the children to decide which pupils would benefit most from their nurture room.

“We noticed that children were bringing heavy hearts and worries to school with them over the last few years, given all the societal issues and the downturn of the economy,” says principal Susan Gibney. “There were many cases of people being laid off work, there were suicides in our community linked to many of our children, and everyone was affected by what happened in Carrickmines, especially our teachers. Thomas Connors and his brothers came to our school and they taught them.”

In the nurture room, pupils make breakfast and eat together while discussing any worries. During the day, they play social skills games, and have anger management sessions. Says principal Gibney: “If our children come to school and they’re not in a good place because of whatever has affected them, they’re not going to be able to learn.

“Their parents may have two or three jobs where they just don’t have the time to engage in activities like that with them. We’re supplying that extra nurturing.”

The school also has a cookery room, an outdoor classroom, a sensory room to help calm children who may be feeling upset, and two gardens.