Steve Baker MP and High Wycombe mayor Cllr Brian Pearce help 'nurturing' Marsh Infant and Nursery School celebrate national award

Marsh Infant and Nursery School on Abbey Barn Road received the National Nurturing School Award from Mr Baker in a ceremony on October 13.

The accolade is awarded to schools who demonstrate exemplary practice in embedding a nurturing culture throughout their school, enhancing teaching and learning by focusing on emotional needs and development in a whole-school environment.

The school, which caters from pupils aged between three and seven, is one of the first in the UK to complete the National Nurturing Schools Programme, a two-year course to develop a nurturing culture throughout the school.

The award was presented to head teacher Lesley Godwin in front of excited pupils who had gathered for a special assembly, school governors, staff and Elisa Mascellani from the Nurture Group Network.

Mr Baker said it was “very special” for him to be able to visit the school and present the award.

He said: “This is a very special school that looks after all its pupils, staff, parents and governors and I'm happy to be here to present this award. Trying to represent 75,000 people in Wycombe is difficult but if everyone took the time to care about their neighbour all the time, a happy society we would have.”

Cllr Pearce praised the “wonderful” school for its achievement and helped hand out special commemorative teddies to all the pupils.

Chief executive of the Nurture Group Network, Kevin Kibble, said: “The beneficiaries of their hard work every day are the children attending the school, their families and the wider community. Our standards to achieve this award are exacting and many congratulations are due to the staff, pupils and everyone associated with the school. 

“We look forward to working with many more schools to help them to embed principles to support the emotional and behavioural needs of their pupils and to help more schools to achieve this prestigious award.”