Manningtree Primary School recognised for mental health work with award

The award recognises extraordinary schools which are making a positive impact on their pupils and the wider community.

A primary school has been named as a Thrive Ambassador School for supporting the wellbeing of its pupils with the aim of preventing mental health issues.

Highfields Primary School in Manningtree, Essex, has been named as an Ambassador School with Excellence in the Environment after going through a rigorous assessment process by Thrive, in which teachers and education professionals are trained 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 the wider community by having a focus on emotional wellbeing and creating an environment in which children's wellbeing thrives.

Emma Grant, teacher and Thrive lead at Highfields, said: "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."

Thrive's Ambassador Schools scheme has been launched as a way of recognising excellence in member schools. There are five areas in which schools 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.

Mel Fisher, the Thrive relationship manager in the East, said: "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."

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.