Churchward is a Thrive School of Excellence
Churchward School awarded the Thrive School of Excellence for their whole school approach to holistic development of their students.
Brunel Academies Trust opened Churchward School as a new school in 2018 and is located in a purpose built building in the Tadpole Garden Village area of North Swindon. Churchward School is a specialist provision for children aged 11-19 years with Autistic Spectrum Condition and or Social Communication Interaction Difficulties with a catchment area across Swindon, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.
On opening, Churchward School wanted to adopt an approach that supported the emotional and social development of students, as part of a holistic approach to learning, putting students at the centre of everything they do. It was decided that The Thrive Approach aligned to the school’s ethos and values and promoted the aims they hoped for within the new school. The Thrive Approach is a dynamic, developmental and trauma-sensitive approach to meeting the emotional and social needs of children.
From day one Churchward School dedicated themselves to creating an environment where every student feels supported, valued, and equipped to thrive both emotionally and academically. Churchward School believe that meaningful connections between students, teachers, and parents are fundamental to a thriving educational experience. By prioritising emotional wellbeing, they ensure that their students are not only academically prepared but also resilient, compassionate, and confident individuals.
Churchward School firmly believes that academic achievement and emotional wellbeing go hand in hand. Without the ability to regulate emotions and feel safe, learning simply cannot happen. The Thrive Approach helps to create the foundation students need to thrive emotionally, so they can also succeed academically. Through the use of Thrive, some students, who had been out of education for years, are now not only attending regularly but are also actively participating in class, making academic progress and studying for their GCSEs and A-Levels.
Churchward School’s unique approach has been so successful that 91% of students are ready to move into a less specialist environment ahead of time, with students leaving Churchward School and successfully transitioning into mainstream school or college, apprenticeships and work.
Over the past year, Churchward School’s dedication has been acknowledged with five Thrive Ambassador Awards which makes them a Thrive School of Excellence. These awards celebrate the school's effective implementation of the Thrive Approach, reflecting their commitment to developing a supportive and nurturing environment for all their students.
Headteacher, Dave Dearsley said
“Being awarded the Thrive School of Excellence validates our whole-school approach to support the holistic development of our students. Through open communication and a shared vision, we have built a strong approach focused on holistic development. This recognition encourages us to keep improving our practices and deepens our commitment to nurturing a safe and supportive environment in which all students can thrive.
We extend our sincere thanks to our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and incredible students. Their collective effort and belief in our mission have made this achievement possible. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to the principles of the Thrive Approach, ensuring that our school remains a beacon of excellence in both education and emotional wellbeing.”
