East Antrim schools part of new £4m Nurture Programme

Linn Primary in Larne and Abbots Cross Primary in Newtownabbey will receive share of £4m funding through a ‘Nurture Programme’.

This initiative will enable the establishment of 15 new nurture groups in primary schools across Northern Ireland during this school year.

A further 31 existing nurture groups will continue to be funded by the Department of Education.

In a statement, Education Minister Peter Weir said: “Today’s announcement is a significant investment in new and existing nurture provision within our schools.

“Nurturing is a key element in supporting our children and young people to make the best start in life and help to improve their educational outcomes.

“These units directly support children who are already having to face significant challenges in their young lives and these can be social emotional or behavioural difficulties.

“Before Covid-19 struck, I stated that this was a priority area for me and I am glad that I now can make this significant announcement and further investment.

“I want to thank all of the staff involved in nurture within our education settings for their support to date and I look forward to working with them in the coming months to deliver this important programme.”

The announcement has been welcomed locally.

East Antrim DUP MLA Gordon Lyons said: “The provision of a new nurture unit at Linn Primary will have an overwhelmingly positive impact on children who face complicated life circumstances and require additional and targeted support with their learning.

“Recent studies from Queen’s University have shown that children who benefit from these units make notable improvements in their educational outcomes.”

Echoing these sentiments, party colleague David Hilditch MLA said: “The delivery of new nurture units in East Antrim is something I have lobbied for over recent times. I’m pleased that the minister has committed to invest an additional £4m to create 15 new units, one of which will be at Linn Primary in my constituency.

“These units give kids, who would otherwise be struggling, the opportunity to improve their outcomes. I’m pleased that the minister has listened and delivered on this important project.”

Michelle Weir, Local Democracy Reporter.

--

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high-quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive.

We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.