On Track Wisbech
Re-engaging young people
with learning
On Track Wisbech provides specialist education for young people who need a bespoke learning experience. By embedding Thrive into its therapeutic and holistic approach, the school has helped pupils build confidence, self-esteem, motivation and self-control.
For young people who may be at risk of underachieving or exclusion, Thrive is helping them stay in school, feel supported and re-engage with education.
The Context
On Track Wisbech supports young people with a range of educational needs, including communication difficulties, behavioural needs and social, emotional and mental health needs.
Because every learner has different and sometimes complex needs, the team wanted an approach that would help staff better understand behaviour and provide the right support at the right time.
- Location: Cambridgeshire
- Pupils: 21 (ages 11–16)
- Thrive introduced: 2019
- Licensed Practitioners: 4
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Why Thrive?
Thrive gave staff a clearer way to understand pupils’ social and emotional development and identify what might be sitting behind behaviour.
For a school supporting young people with complex needs, this was important. Thrive helped staff respond with greater consistency and put targeted support in place quickly, so pupils could begin to re-engage with learning.
Thrive also aligned with the school’s wider therapeutic and holistic approach, which focuses on building confidence, self-esteem, motivation and self-control.
proven impact
How Thrive was implemented
On Track Wisbech uses Thrive-Online to identify areas of social and emotional development that need extra support.
- Thrive-Online helps staff understand where there may be gaps in pupils’ social and emotional development.
- Staff use this information to put targeted provision in place quickly.
- Four members of staff have trained as Thrive Licensed Practitioners.
- One Licensed Practitioner is also a Course Leader for Family Thrive. Family Thrive sessions help parents and carers understand the Approach and the work being done to support their children.
- Thrive is used to support pupils’ emotional and social development. The Approach helps pupils build resilience, resourcefulness and a stronger appetite for learning.
We have seen that a consistent use of the Thrive Approach has helped improve attitudes to learning, increased attendance, and improvements in learners’ emotional and social skills and relationships within peer groups.
Gemma Adams
Deputy Headteacher, On Track Wisbech
REBUILDING CONFIDENCE AND MOTIVATION
Re-engaging pupils with education
Thrive has helped reinvigorate the school’s provision and support young people who may otherwise have been at risk of underachieving or exclusion.
By addressing social and emotional needs, staff have seen pupils become more resilient and resourceful. This has helped improve attitudes to learning, increase attendance, and strengthen emotional and social skills and relationships within peer groups.
Deputy Headteacher Gemma Adams says Thrive allows staff to look more deeply at behaviour and understand what a child may be experiencing, helping the team respond with the right support rather than focusing only on what is happening on the surface.
What pupils say
Pupils describe Thrive as a space where they can talk, feel supported and be themselves.
For Theo, in Year 10, Thrive helps with “mental and physical health” as well as stress and problems at home. He says his favourite thing is having time to learn, colour and “be yourself”.
Dylan, in Year 11, has used Thrive sessions to focus on the next stage of his education, including applying for college courses and building the skills he needs to become more independent. He describes Thrive as “a space where I can be myself, chat with others about my interests and get emotional and wellbeing support.”
Tomi-Lee, in Year 7, says Thrive has helped him better manage his anger.
thrive school of excellence
Recognition
On Track Wisbech 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.
“It is such a proud moment for us. Thrive has been part of the school’s journey from the start and its success is down to the commitment of our staff," said Gemma.
“Thrive allows us to look at the behaviour of the child to gain a more in-depth understanding about what they may be experiencing. We have seen that a consistent use of the Thrive Approach has helped improve attitudes to learning, increased attendance, and improvements in learners’ emotional and social skills and relationships within peer groups.”
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