The Thrive Approach

The Thrive Approach at Churchward School

We are proud to have been recognised as a Thrive School of Excellence, the highest level of achievement in the Thrive Ambassador Schools scheme. This award celebrates our whole-school commitment to nurturing every young person’s emotional, social and academic development.

What is the Thrive Approach?

The Thrive Approach is a dynamic, developmental and trauma-sensitive way of supporting children and young people’s social and emotional wellbeing. It draws on neuroscience, attachment theory and child development to help us understand why young people behave as they do, what they need and how best to support them.

Thrive helps staff identify gaps in emotional development early and plan activities and strategies to build secure relationships, promote resilience and encourage emotional regulation. When students feel safe, valued and understood, they are able to learn, form friendships and engage fully in school life.

Why Thrive at Churchward?

From the moment Churchward School opened in 2018, we have placed emotional wellbeing at the heart of everything we do. We believe that academic achievement and emotional wellbeing go hand in hand - without the ability to regulate emotions and feel safe, learning simply cannot happen.

Thrive provides us with a consistent framework to support this belief. It enables staff to interpret behaviour as communication, respond to underlying needs and build meaningful relationships through the PACE approach - being Playful, Accepting, Curious and Empathetic.

Through the use of Thrive, some students who had been out of education for years are now attending regularly, actively participating in class, and making academic progress. Remarkably, 91% of our students are now ready to move into less specialist environments ahead of time, successfully transitioning into mainstream education, college, apprenticeships and employment.

How Thrive Works at Churchward School

We currently have 16 Licensed Thrive Practitioners, ensuring the Thrive Approach is embedded across every area of school life. Using Thrive-Online, staff complete whole-class and individual assessments to identify each student’s social and emotional stage of development. This allows us to create targeted action plans, monitor progress and adapt support as students grow.

Thrive sessions can take many forms (1:1, small group or whole-class) and are delivered in classrooms, the Thrive Room or outdoors. Activities include art, sensory play, relaxation, games and discussion. Each activity is carefully planned to help students express feelings, manage emotions and strengthen relationships.

Our Ongoing Commitment

Being awarded the Thrive School of Excellence validates our dedication to a holistic model of education - one that values emotional safety and connection as much as academic success. We continue to expand our provision, train more practitioners and share best practice within Brunel Academies Trust and beyond.

At Churchward, Thrive is more than a programme - it’s a way of being. Together, we are helping every young person to feel safe, supported and ready to thrive.