Award for focus on pupils' mental health handed to Highfields Primary in Essex

A Manningtree primary school has been named as a Thrive Ambassador School for the role it plays in supporting the wellbeing of its pupils in order to prevent mental health issues.

Highfields Primary School has been named as an Ambassador School with Excellence in the Environment after going through a rigorous assessment process by Thrive, which trains teachers and other education professionals to support the emotional and social development of all children. The award recognises extraordinary schools which are making a positive impact on their pupils and on the wider community by having a focus on emotional wellbeing and creating an environment in which children’s wellbeing thrives.

“Highfields is thrilled to gain Ambassador School status and is very proud of all of its staff and pupils, whose contributions have been invaluable.  The dedication of all staff has been crucial in gaining our Ambassador status and remains an inspiration to all at Highfields,” said teacher and Thrive lead Emma Grant.

Thrive’s Ambassador Schools scheme has been launched as a way of recognising excellence in member schools. There are five areas in which school can evidence how they use Thrive to support children’s social and emotional development: environment, leadership, right-time, reparative and relationship, with a special Ambassador School of Excellence Award for schools that achieve the highest standard across all five categories.

As well as submitting an in-depth application form, the school was visited by Thrive staff, before the coronavirus lockdown, to observe and assess the way that teachers and other staff implement the Thrive Approach to help build the emotional resilience of children, so that they can better manage the ups and downs of life and be more open to learning.

“Highfields has done a fantastic job in embedding the Thrive Approach across the whole school. All staff have a good understanding of the Thrive Approach and are able to play their part in bringing it into lessons across the school day. There have been some amazing success stories as a result and the school really deserves to be recognised in this way,” said Mel Fisher, Thrive Relationship Manager - East.

Over to you

Are you leading the way in developing happy, emotionally-resilient children or young people? Are you feeling the impact of embedding the Thrive Approach throughout your setting? You too may be eligible for Thrive Ambassador School status. Click here to find out how to apply.