Drapers’ Maylands
A school founded on Thrive
Drapers’ Maylands Primary School was built around the Thrive Approach from the moment it opened in 2015. Serving a community with high levels of need, the school has created a calm, supportive environment where children are able to regulate, engage and learn.
This whole-school approach has been recognised by Ofsted, with Outstanding ratings for personal development, behaviour and welfare.
The Context
Drapers’ Maylands Primary School serves a community facing significant deprivation, with many children arriving with unmet social, emotional and mental health needs.
- Location: London
- Trust: Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust
- Pupils: 361 (ages 3–11)
- FSM: 28.8%
- Thrive introduced: 2015 (from school opening)
- Licensed Practitioners: 4
Why Thrive?
When the school opened in 2015, Ms Spillane reviewed a range of research and approaches. Thrive stood out as something that aligned closely with the school’s values.
From the outset, Principal Trudy Spillane and her leadership team were clear that emotional wellbeing needed to sit at the heart of the school, not as an add-on, but as the foundation for learning.
Thrive offered both a way of understanding children’s emotional development and practical strategies staff could use day to day. Just as importantly, it supported the school’s ambition to create a genuinely nurturing, child-centred environment where children feel safe enough to learn.
embedding a consistent approach
How Thrive was implemented
Thrive was embedded across the school from the beginning, with a clear and consistent approach.
- Thrive was used throughout the school day, in lessons, during play and Free Learning, and in the way transitions and routines are managed. This helps children experience consistency and emotional safety.
- All staff were trained as part of their induction, with the expectation that Thrive strategies would be used in everyday interactions with children. This created a shared understanding across the whole team.
- Four members of staff trained as Thrive Licensed Practitioners, allowing the school to provide targeted support through one-to-one and group sessions where needed.
- Thrive is used throughout the school day, in lessons, during play and Free Learning, and in the way transitions and routines are managed. This helps children experience consistency and emotional safety.
- Ongoing CPD and regular reflection ensure staff remain confident in their practice and the approach stays consistent.
The transformation in our children, and our entire school community, speaks volumes.
Trudy Spillane
Principal, Drapers' Maylands Primary School
More than a wellbeing tool
From unmet need to a calm and purposeful environment
Thrive-Online supports both classroom practice and wider decision making.
Classes are regularly assessed using the platform, alongside teacher insight, to identify pupils who may need additional support.
At leadership level, this information is shared with senior leaders and governors and has helped shape decisions around wellbeing. This includes social dining, free breakfast provision, support with uniform and shoes, and wider enrichment opportunities.
It also supports SEND provision and contributes to EHCP referrals, helping ensure support is appropriate and timely. Insights from Thrive-Online feed into whole-school planning and influence policy and approach.
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Using Thrive-Online to inform decisions
Thrive-Online supports both classroom practice and wider decision making.
Classes are regularly assessed using the platform, alongside teacher insight, to identify pupils who may need additional support.
At leadership level, this information is shared with senior leaders and governors and has helped shape decisions around wellbeing. This includes social dining, free breakfast provision, support with uniform and shoes, and wider enrichment opportunities.
It also supports SEND provision and contributes to EHCP referrals, helping ensure support is appropriate and timely. Insights from Thrive-Online feed into whole-school planning and influence policy and approach.
A happy child is a happier family
Working with families
Family Thrive sessions have helped build stronger relationships with parents and carers. They give families a clearer understanding of the approach and practical ways to support their children at home.
Feedback suggests this has increased confidence and strengthened the sense of partnership between home and school. This is reflected in Parent View responses, where most families report that their child feels happy and well supported.
As a Thrive School of Excellence, Maylands also works with other schools, sharing its experience and approach.
thrive school of excellence
Recognition
Drapers’ Maylands has been awarded Thrive School of Excellence, the highest level in Thrive’s Ambassador School scheme, recognising its work in supporting mental health and wellbeing.
We would wholeheartedly encourage any school considering Thrive to take the plunge. The difference it makes is both immediate and long-lasting. With consistent delivery and a shared commitment across staff, the results are remarkable.
Trudy Spillane
Principal, Trudy Spillane
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