Red Oak Primary School
Thriving in the face of adversity
Red Oak Primary School is at the heart of its coastal community in Lowestoft. Faced with high levels of deprivation, SEMH needs, challenging behaviour and frequent suspensions, the school adopted Thrive to strengthen pupils’ social and emotional wellbeing and create a more supportive environment for learning.
Since embedding Thrive, Red Oak has seen attendance consistently rise above the national average, a significant reduction in exclusions, and improved academic and social outcomes for its children.
The Context
Red Oak Primary School supports a community facing significant challenges, including limited social mobility, poverty, and the impact of alcohol and drug misuse.
Many children were missing out on experiences that are important for early development, which affected their ability to access learning when they started school.
- Location: Lowestoft
- Trust: The Active Learning Trust
- Pupils: 437 (ages 3–11)
- FSM: 43%
- Thrive introduced: 2019 (from school opening)
- Licensed Practitioners: 3
Why Thrive?
Red Oak chose Thrive because it provided a clear framework for supporting children’s mental health and wellbeing.
The Approach helped staff understand behaviour through the lens of social and emotional development, giving them a way to identify needs that can otherwise be difficult to see, measure or evidence.
Thrive offered a systematic approach that could support pupils’ wellbeing while also strengthening behaviour, attendance and readiness to learn.
A CLEAR FRAMEWORK FOR SUPPORT
How Thrive was implemented
Red Oak began by training a senior member of staff as a Thrive Licensed Practitioner.
- All colleagues completed training to understand basic Thrive theory.
- Staff developed a shared language to use with children.
- The team explored how the Approach could support pupils across the school.
- Over the following year, additional Thrive Licensed Practitioners were trained to work across the school.
- Thrive-Online is used to assess pupils’ social and emotional skills, identify areas of need and create class action plans.
- Thrive strategies and activities are embedded into lessons.
- Pupils who need extra support receive small group or one-to-one sessions with a practitioner.
From the moment I started my Thrive Licensed Practitioner training to the moment we received our Thrive School of Excellence award, it has been a very big but positive learning experience.
Zeegan Warne
Deputy Headteacher, Red Oak Primary School
CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE SCHOOL
Creating a whole-school ethos
Thrive has helped Red Oak build a whole-school ethos that supports and nurtures children’s social and emotional needs.
Staff now have a shared understanding of pupils’ development and a consistent language for responding to behaviour. This has helped create a more supportive environment where pupils are better able to engage with learning.
The school’s Thrive Licensed Practitioners play a key role in supporting targeted work, while whole-class strategies help ensure every child benefits from the Approach.
Impact across the school
Since implementing Thrive, Red Oak has seen attendance remain consistently above the national average.
Suspensions have reduced significantly, and attainment has improved, with results above the national average for the past three years.
These outcomes reflect the school’s commitment to putting children’s wellbeing at the centre of learning.
SUPPORT THAT REACHES HOME
Working with families
Red Oak recognised that parental involvement would be important to pupils’ progress.
The school introduced Family Thrive, a six-session course designed to help parents and carers understand the Approach and use aspects of it at home.
Feedback from parents has been positive. One parent said it helped them understand how to see things from a child’s perspective. Another said it helped them stop and think about what behaviour is happening and what they can do to support their child at home.
Parents who attended the course have also set up a WhatsApp group to share experiences and support one another.
THRIVE SCHOOL OF EXCELLENCE
Recognition
Red Oak Primary School 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’s lovely to have our school achievements recognised. The difference Thrive has made to our school community is immense and has led to amazing results and outcomes for our children.
Zeegan Warne
Deputy Headteacher, Red Oak Primary School
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