COWLERSLEY Primary School has created a new unit to help pupils with low self-confidence.

The school is one of just eight in the area to be awarded funding from Kirklees Council to establish a ‘nurture group’.

The groups run in schools across the UK and aim to build up children’s self-esteem in order to improve their ability to learn.

At Cowlersley, a special area has been created and named the Sunflower Room.

A group of six children will work in the room with two specially-trained staff –Julie Pickles and Jill Catherine, for up to three terms.

They will join their normal classes for PE, assemblies, lunch and play times and will spend a day a week in lessons.

Activities in the Sunflower Room include discussions, quiet play and cookery – all designed to improve team work, social skills, communication and a sense of responsibility.

After their time in the Sunflower Room, children will rejoin their class full time.

Jenny Hannon, joint headteacher at the school, said nurture groups are a proven success at improving learning, despite the children seemingly missing out on lessons.

“The learning of these children is inhibited by their lack of self-esteem and so the idea is that you build up their confidence and their ability to learn improves.”