Our Chair of Governors, Mrs Elizabeth Varley, has officially opened our fantastic new Nurture Centre building, which we have named The Pavilion. Our Headteacher, Mr Grieveson, Academy Governors and some of our Nurture Group students joined her at the opening ceremony. Students are now enjoying the new facilities and the many learning opportunities it offers.

The Nurture Group initiative was launched at King James three years ago and we have since celebrated the excellent progress of each group in all areas of school life, from improved ability in their subjects to confidence in participating in a range of social activities. As a result of this success, we received funding to develop our provision further, and our new contemporary building has been part-funded by Durham County Council and the DfE.

The Pavilion will provide a bespoke learning environment for Nurture Group students in Years 7 and 8. There will be a focus on small-group learning and targeted booster sessions in core subjects to improve achievement, alongside a range of activities to help build team-working and self-confidence. The building houses three large classrooms with open views over our playing fields, self-contained bathroom and kitchen facilities and a spacious entrance room which doubles as a quiet reading area.

"King James is constantly developing new initiatives to improve standards and learning opportunities for young people in our area," said Mrs Varley. "I am proud to be a Governor at such a forward thinking school, and one which focuses on ensuring every student achieves their full potential. The Pavilion is an outstanding facility and one which I am sure will inspire our children."

Mr Grieveson said, "This new hub means that our young people will benefit from having a consistent base and a family-type nurturing environment which will help them make the best start to their secondary education. Over the past three years, we have witnessed the difference our Nurture Programme can make to pupils; now, we will be able to develop our provision even further."