Woodend Farm School
An inclusive approach to wellbeing
and learning
Woodend Farm School supports young people who need a personalised, emotionally informed approach to learning. By placing Thrive at the heart of its provision from the start, the school has created an inclusive environment where pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn.
The school’s work has been recognised by Ofsted, with inspectors praising the strong relationships staff build with pupils and families, and the happy, inclusive and welcoming environment created across the school.
The Context
Woodend Farm School opened in 2023 to support young people with complex needs who require a personalised approach to education.
Many pupils arrive having experienced multiple unsuccessful school placements, reduced timetables or long periods out of education. These experiences can affect pupils’ emotional wellbeing, confidence and readiness to learn.
- Location: Essex
- Pupils: 21 (ages 6–16)
- Thrive introduced: 2023 (from school opening)
- Licensed Practitioners: 6
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Why Thrive?
From the outset, Woodend Farm School wanted Thrive to be central to its approach.
Many members of staff had already trained as Thrive Licensed Practitioners before the school opened, giving the team confidence that the Approach would provide the comprehensive support pupils needed.
Thrive offered a framework for understanding behaviour, identifying social and emotional needs, and helping pupils develop the skills they need to access learning.
A PERSONALISED APPROACH FROM THE START
How Thrive was implemented
Thrive was embedded from the beginning and runs through every aspect of the school’s provision.
Using Thrive-Online, the school assesses pupils’ social and emotional development and creates detailed action plans tailored to their individual needs.
- Pupils who need additional support receive one-to-one sessions with Thrive Licensed Practitioners.
- Group sessions help pupils continue developing their social and emotional skills.
- Lessons are adapted to meet each pupil’s developmental needs.
- Individual timetables are adjusted according to Thrive assessments.
- All staff receive ongoing training with Thrive Licensed Practitioners to support accurate assessment and ensure action plans remain effective.
Thrive-Online enables us to put Thrive progress and data at the centre of the pupils’ curriculum.
Nicola Overland
Head of School, Woodend Farm School
EMOTIONAL NEEDS AT THE CENTRE OF LEARNING
Meeting pupils’ needs
At Woodend Farm School, Thrive helps staff keep pupils’ emotional needs at the centre of planning and practice.
The school’s responsive approach means support can be adapted as pupils’ needs change. Staff use Thrive assessments to inform learning, routines and individual timetables, helping pupils access education in a way that feels manageable and meaningful.
This consistent approach supports pupils to build trust, develop social and emotional skills and engage more positively with learning.
Transforming behaviour and relationships
Staff have seen significant progress in pupils’ social and emotional skills, which has improved their engagement with learning.
One of the biggest changes has been how staff understand and respond to behaviour. With a deeper understanding of the reasons behind a pupil’s behaviour, the team can respond in the moment with compassion and curiosity.
This shift has also strengthened relationships with families. Many parents and carers had experienced difficult relationships with schools in the past. At Woodend Farm School, they are now engaging more positively and working collaboratively with staff.
creating an inclusive environment
'Good' from Ofsted
Following its first Ofsted inspection in 2024, Woodend Farm School was rated Good.
Inspectors praised the strong, trusting relationships staff build with pupils and families, as well as the happy, inclusive and welcoming environment created by the school.
thrive school of excellence
Recognition
Woodend Farm 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.
Thrive will transform your practice and your understanding of behaviour and the reasons behind it. This will then change the way you approach academic learning.
Nicola Overland
Head of School, Woodend Farm School
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