Hereford Learning Hub
Embedding Thrive through
an apprenticeship
Hereford Learning Hub is an alternative education centre providing a nurturing and inclusive environment for children and young people with varying learning needs.
Having previously implemented Thrive in another setting, Head Teacher Zoe Rose recognised the benefits it could bring to both pupils and staff. To bring this vision to life, she enrolled a member of her team, Toni, on the Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship.
The Context
Hereford Learning Hub supports pupils who are unable to attend mainstream school, mostly due to emotionally-based school avoidance.
The setting already had a strong nurturing environment, but Zoe wanted to strengthen this further and make Thrive part of the culture and daily curriculum.
- Location: Hereford
- Setting type: Alternative Provision
- Age range of pupils: 3-16 years
- Thrive introduced: 2025
Why Thrive?
Zoe saw Thrive as a natural fit for HLH’s work with young people who need a different kind of educational environment.
“Engaging in the Thrive programme was a decision driven by the vision to enhance and complement the nurturing environment at our setting. Recognising the potential benefits of Thrive, we knew that we could use it to foster an enriching environment for our pupils.”
The aim was not to introduce Thrive as a separate intervention, but to make it part of the way the setting works every day.
“We want Thrive to be an essential part of the curriculum at HLH. It needs to be at the forefront of our daily working curriculum.”
building in-house expertise
How Thrive was implemented
Hereford Learning Hub chose the apprenticeship route to embed Thrive while developing staff capacity.
- Zoe enrolled Toni, a member of the HLH team, on the Thrive Wellbeing Leadership Apprenticeship.
- The apprenticeship gives Toni the opportunity to develop new skills and build on existing strengths.
- Thrive is being developed as an essential part of the curriculum at HLH. The aim is for Thrive to sit at the forefront of the setting’s daily working curriculum.
- The apprenticeship is helping HLH build expertise from within the team, rather than relying only on external support.
We want Thrive to be an essential part of the curriculum at HLH. It needs to be at the forefront of our daily working curriculum. The apprenticeship is a great opportunity to develop new skills and develop others’ strengths.
Zoe Rose
Head Teacher, Hereford Learning Hub
CONFIDENCE, CULTURE AND REGULATION
Growing confidence and culture
The apprenticeship is already making a difference to HLH’s pupils, team and culture.
Because many pupils at HLH are unable to attend mainstream school due to emotionally-based school avoidance, regulation is a central part of the setting’s work.
“Having Thrive embedded in our culture means we can help them to regulate.”
Zoe has also seen the impact on Toni, who has grown in confidence since starting the apprenticeship.
“I’ve noticed Toni’s confidence grow since starting the apprenticeship. It’s been a pleasure to see her develop her strengths.”
The wider team is also engaged with the approach and keen to develop Thrive throughout the setting.
Impact so far
Just a few months into the apprenticeship, HLH is already seeing signs of change.
Thrive is supporting the setting’s work with pupils who need help to regulate, while also strengthening staff confidence and shared commitment.
For Zoe, the apprenticeship has been central to developing the culture of the setting.
“The apprenticeship has been pivotal for us and central to developing the culture of our setting. To other employers considering a Thrive apprenticeship, I’d say it’s absolutely necessary.”
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