Nugent Welcomes Captains and Poets in to the classroom 

Nugent Welcomes Canadian organisation, enhancing inclusion, diversity and equality in the classroom 

New curriculum addresses systemic well-being and academic challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic

Nugent is adding a new curriculum model from Canadian organisation Captains and Poets for their children and young people, from nursery to year 13, to bridge Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with inclusion programming to help create greater connection in the classroom.

Releasing its new adolescent documentary-style instructional video ahead of World Children’s Day (November 20), the ground-breaking curriculum by Captains and Poets aims to prioritise self-awareness, connection and wellbeing to better enable kids to navigate their circumstances with authenticity and to create a better world.

Piloted in twenty schools across Canada in 2020-2021, Nugent House School in Billinge, one of the most notable schools for students with emotional, behaviour and mental health needs in the United Kingdom, has implemented the Captains and Poets curriculum earlier this month.

“The Captains & Poets model opens up dialogue about students’ internal and external worlds and helps us teach our students that we are here to support and help them; to love them fiercely,” says Andy Howard, Head Teacher of Nugent. 

Traditional approaches to education often fail to be inclusionary and accessible to many, leaving the most vulnerable children behind. The COVID-19 pandemic shined a spotlight on the flaws in our current system.

The unique programming aims to build upon what is currently being taught in schools. It is also designed to complement current efforts to educate on diversity and inclusion.

“At Nugent, we have been focussing on enhancing our equality, diversity and inclusivity and this programme from Captains and Poets will further enrich our students, giving them the space and tools to thrive as they navigate their futures. We are very excited to be collaborating with Captains and Poets.”
– Normandie Wragg, Nugent CEO

In the words of one student in the new documentary-style instructional video: “If everyone was their best Captain and Poet, I think that we would see true change in the world. We wouldn’t just see, you know, superficial change or performative action. It would be really true understanding of each other and the world.”

This programme supports young peoples’ development into responsible, caring and actively engaged global citizens. This is done by drawing on the fundamental human nature we all share as inspiration.

This new, integrated approach is especially important in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on children’s mental wellbeing. Numerous studies have indicated a dramatic decrease in academic achievement and a critical increase in identity-related incidents as well as mental health concerns.

“We believe young people have everything within them to be resourceful, whole human beings and to thrive as they navigate the journey to adulthood. By igniting what is naturally authentic and innate within them we empower them with a sense of purpose and agency in the world – which is more important than ever in these complex times,” says Jennifer Johnson, Co-founder, Captains & Poets. 

 

“It has become increasingly clear that our school systems need to be proactive in addressing issues such as authentic personal identity and well-being throughout a child’s educational journey so that they feel a sense of belonging and are empowered to be the best version of themselves,” adds Jan Frolic, Co-founder Captains & Poets

For more information on how Nugent House School has implemented this programme, please call 01744 892 551 or email nugent.house@wearenugent.org.