Become a Thrive Secondary School
A proven way to reduce exclusions, improve attendance and strengthen behaviour support in secondary schools.
Thrive gives staff a clear, practical way to understand behaviour, reduce repeated issues and create calmer, more consistent environments. It is grounded in neuroscience, child development and attachment theory, helping more pupils stay in school and engaged in learning.
What does it mean to be a Thrive School?
Becoming a Thrive School is a long-term commitment to strengthening how your school understands behaviour, relationships and social and emotional development.
In many secondary schools, Thrive begins with targeted SEMH support led by a Licensed Practitioner, with many schools building wider understanding across staff over time.
This means targeted support where it’s needed most, alongside more consistent, relational practice that keeps pupils connected to learning.
What Thrive secondary schools see
Greater confidence in responding to complex behaviour
Staff have a clearer understanding of why pupils behave the way they do, and what to do in the moment.
Fewer exclusions and repeated behaviour cycles
Earlier identification of need and more consistent responses help break patterns of repeated behaviour and reduce reliance on suspensions.
Improved attendance and engagement
As pupils feel better understood and supported, attendance improves and more pupils stay engaged in learning.
CASE STUDY
Meridian High School
See how Meridian introduced Thrive and strengthened behaviour, attendance and wellbeing in practice.
Independently evaluated impact
The Thrive Approach has been independently evaluated by ImpactEd through analysis of over 2,600 schools and a two-year mixed-methods study.
Schools using Thrive show:
For secondary leaders, this offers robust, external evidence to support improvement planning, governance and inspection.
The foundations of a Thrive School
Two core foundations underpin every Thrive School. Together, they provide the structure and consistency that make the approach work in practice.
At least one member of staff trains as a Thrive Licensed Practitioner, building in-house expertise to lead SEMH support.
Through this training, schools can:
- Better understand behaviour and emotional development
- Identify pupils who need additional support
- Assess need and plan the right response
- Respond more consistently across departments
Thrive-Online supports assessment, planning and progress tracking, helping you respond to individual need in a clear, manageable way.
Through Thrive-Online, you can:
- Identify barriers to learning early
- Create targeted action plans
- Track progress over time
- Evidence impact for leadership and inspection
Your subscription also includes My Thrive Scan, providing a whole school snapshot of wellbeing through two short staff-completed scans.
Learn more about Thrive-Online
Two routes to becoming a
Thrive Secondary School
DIRECT ROUTE
Thrive SEMH intervention for mainstream secondary schools
The fastest way to get started.
What's included:
- Thrive Licensed Practitioner training for one member of staff | £1,780
- Thrive-Online annual subscription | From £750
- Implementation support from a Thrive expert included.
Eligible schools may be able to use the Inclusive Mainstream Fund to help fund this route, where it fits with their inclusion priorities.
Prices exclude VAT
FUNDED ROUTE (ENGLAND ONLY)
Thrive wellbeing apprenticeships
A levy-funded route that builds expertise over time.
What's included:
- Thrive Licensed Practitioner training plus a Level 5 qualification.
- Access to Thrive-Online for the duration of the programme.
- On-the-job learning embedded within school practice.
From £9,000 £0
To keep Thrive School status after the apprenticeship, schools continue with Thrive-Online or train another apprentice.
Not sure which route is right for you?
Book a conversation with a member of our team to talk through your context, priorities and funding options.
How Thrive can grow in your school
Many secondary schools build on their initial foundations over time.
01
Training additional staff
Expand capacity through further Licensed Practitioner training, senior leadership training, whole school inductions and training days.
02
Advanced training
Deepen expertise through advanced training and apprenticeships, strengthening long-term SEND and SEMH leadership.
03
Engaging parents and carers
Train a Family Thrive Course Leader to share the approach with parents and carers in practical, accessible ways.
04
Recognition and excellence
Work towards Thrive Ambassador and School of Excellence status, recognising sustained impact.