A NEW room which allows students to progress with their “emotional development” alongside their educational one has been unveiled.

A space has been opened at Ysgol Eifion Wyn, Porthmadog, offering a “safe, comfortable environment” in order for the new sessions to be carried out at the school.

The old computing classroom has been transformed into a purposeful room for the new scheme, and has been named ‘Ystafell yr Enfys’ (The Rainbow Room).

The staff at ‘Ystafell yr Enfys’ will focus on educating small groups of children, with the emphasis being on developing emotional and social skills whilst also focusing on linguistic and communication skills and literacy and numeracy by following guidelines set by the Nurture Group Network.

Ysgol Eifion Wyn headteacher Carys E Jones said: “This exciting venture would not have been possible without the amazing support that we have received from local businesses and the community.

“Nearly everything in the room has been donated including a kitchen, oven, hob, a sink and kitchen utensils, plumbing equipment, tiling and decorations, a fridge, microwave and fire place.

“As well as all the donations, people have been working room for free by preparing the room, painting and decorating, fitting a kitchen and plumbing and electrical work.

“All the support we have received has been amazing, and it was great to see all the local businesses, big and small, parents and friends of the school offering their support towards the wellbeing of our pupils.”

Cllr Selwyn Griffiths, who is also one of the school’s governors added: “It’s great to see this new ‘Nurture Room’ open, which offers a safe space to help pupils with emotional development as well as educational.

“It’s proven that nurture groups like this have a positive effect on personal development in children, and it’s very pleasing to see this resource being offered at Ysgol Eifion Wyn. We are very grateful to local businesses along with the community for their very generous donations, not only financially, but the time invested by people in order to help with the renovating work.

"This shows that we have a very close community in Porthmadog and Ysgol Eifion Wyn, and it’ very encouraging to see people willing to sacrifice their time and money in order to give these children the best start in life.”