Churchward School
Supporting emotional wellbeing as
the foundation for learning
Churchward School supports young people with autism and associated social communication difficulties. By embedding Thrive from the moment the school opened, the team has created a nurturing environment where students feel safe, supported and better able to regulate their emotions, build relationships and engage with learning.
Thrive has helped Churchward strengthen the link between emotional wellbeing and academic success, giving staff a shared approach to supporting students’ individual development.
The Context
Churchward School opened in 2018 with a clear vision: to provide life-changing opportunities for some of the most challenged young people in the community.
The school was set up to support students with autism and associated social communication difficulties through a bespoke curriculum, therapeutic packages and highly specialised staff.
- Location: Swindon
- Trust: Brunel Academies Trust
- Pupils: 127 (ages 11–19)
- FSM: 38.9%
- Thrive introduced: 2018 (from school opening)
- Licensed Practitioners: 18
Why Thrive?
Thrive stood out to Churchward because it aligned closely with the school’s values and was built around a developmental model that could be understood by parents and professionals alike.
Ongoing professional development was also important. The team wanted staff to have up-to-date training and the skills to meet students’ diverse and sometimes challenging needs.
From the beginning, the team wanted an approach that would support students’ social and emotional development as part of a holistic model of learning.
EMOTIONAL WELLBEING BEFORE LEARNING
How Thrive was implemented
Thrive was introduced as soon as Churchward opened its doors.
The close alignment between the school’s values and Thrive’s principles helped staff embrace the Approach from the beginning. Both prioritise emotional wellbeing and recognise that students need to feel safe and supported before meaningful learning can take place.
- Staff visited other Thrive schools to see the Approach in action and learn from established practice.
- All colleagues receive termly training to support consistency and keep skills up to date.
- Thrive-Online assessments are carried out four times a year for every student, helping staff monitor progress and adapt action plans.
- Students receive individual and group Thrive sessions to support their social and emotional development.
Without the ability to regulate emotions and feel safe, learning simply can’t happen.
Alexandra Soares Silva
Teacher and Lead Thrive Licensed Practitioner, Churchward School
STRONGER RESILIENCE AND RELATIONSHIPS
Creating foundations for
academic success
Thrive has helped Churchward strengthen the link between emotional wellbeing and learning.
Students are developing greater resilience, stronger emotional regulation and more positive relationships with peers and staff.
Alexandra Soares Silva, Teacher and Lead Thrive Licensed Practitioner at Churchward School, shared the impact Thrive has had at the school so far: “The biggest difference Thrive has made in our school is the significant improvement in students' emotional wellbeing and social development. We firmly believe that academic achievement and emotional wellbeing go hand in hand. Without the ability to regulate emotions and feel safe, learning simply can't happen.”
For the team, this emotional foundation is what enables students to access learning and succeed academically.
Supporting individual progress
Churchward has seen powerful individual transformations since embedding Thrive.
Some students have moved from severe anxiety and school refusal to actively engaging in learning and working towards qualifications such as GCSEs and A-Levels. Some have gone on to university.
Thrive-Online plays an important role in this progress. It helps staff track students’ emotional and social development, tailor interventions and provide evidence for leadership decisions, inspections and EHCP referrals.
One student, who had struggled with emotional dysregulation following unsuccessful placements, began to share positive experiences at home after targeted Thrive support. They also reconnected emotionally with their family, including hugging their mum and saying “I love you” for the first time in years.
Thrive School of Excellence
Recognition
Churchward School has been named a Thrive School of Excellence, the highest level of achievement in Thrive’s Ambassador School scheme. The award recognises settings showcasing outstanding mental health and wellbeing support.
Headteacher Dave Dearsley says the award validates Churchward’s whole-school approach to supporting students’ holistic development: “Through open communication and a shared vision, we have built a strong approach focused on individual development and personalised intervention as opposed to implementing a generic one size fits all system or model.”
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