From struggling to belonging: Sammy's story with SEMH intervention

Life can throw unexpected challenges at children. Trauma, big family events, or upheaval can disrupt social and emotional development. For Sammy (name changed), these challenges were significant - but with the right support, he not only overcame them, but he also changed the course of his future.

This is his story.

  

   

 

Year 7: At crisis point

Sammy arrived at Meridian High School feeling unsafe and disengaged. Home life was unsettled, and learning felt pointless. His behaviour spiralled, leading to more than 130 recorded defiance incidents, 112 classroom removals, and 67 internal exclusions.

Adding to the pressure, Sammy and his family were facing a tragic personal situation - a high-level court case involving a sibling’s disappearance. Without support, Sammy could have faced permanent exclusion.

Meridian High chose a different path. Instead of punishment, they introduced Sammy to targeted interventions, one being the Thrive Approach, a programme designed to support social and emotional development. The first step: building safety and trust.

"Every day felt like a fight just to get through."

With tailored interventions, Sammy was given space to manage emotions, feel secure, and start naming his feelings. Early successes were small but vital: fewer classroom removals, first steps in talking about emotions, and a budding sense that he could cope in school.

 

Year 8: Starting to connect

Once Sammy felt safer, the focus shifted to building confidence and connection. Group activities, mentoring, and extra-curricular clubs gave him opportunities to practice social skills and form friendships.

"Sammy started saying ‘yes’ to group work. He even smiled in class sometimes."

By the end of Year 8, he was more engaged in lessons, laughed more often, and stayed in the classroom - beginning to feel that he belonged.

 

Year 9: Stepping up

With a stronger emotional foundation, Sammy began to take responsibility, problem-solve, and plan ahead. His attitude to learning shifted, and his grades improved.

"He stepped up, solved problems, helped his peers."

These changes reflected not just behaviour, but real growth in confidence, resilience, and social awareness.

 

Year 10: Moving forward

Today, Sammy is a Thrive ambassador at Meridian High. He supports younger pupils, helps them navigate challenges, and serves as a role model both in and out of the classroom.

"Now he’s the one other students go to for advice.” 

Measured outcomes show the transformation: overall behaviour improved from 70% → 95%, with positive interactions increasing and negative incidents dramatically reduced.

 

How Thrive made a difference

Meridian High’s Thrive-based SEMH programme works by:

• Assessing gaps in each pupil’s social, emotional, and behavioural development
• Tailoring interventions, including mentoring, social skills programmes, conflict resolution, and emotional literacy training
• Equipping staff to use non-confrontational language and build positive relationships

The results are measurable:

• Schools using Thrive have 27% fewer exclusions than the national average
• Lower absence (3%) and severe absence (15%)
• Improved staff wellbeing, increasing by 5% within a school year

At Meridian specifically:

• Overall student attendance improved 17%
• Persistent absence reduced 15%
• Positive behaviour points per student increased 56 points

Watch the full Meridian High School Case Study

 

The Takeaway

Sammy’s story shows that even the most challenging, disruptive, or deeply affected children can thrive when they receive the right support. With the Thrive Approach, Meridian High created a school environment where students like Sammy can rebuild trust, grow socially and emotionally, and achieve their potential -while staff feel supported and the school culture becomes one of understanding and growth.

Structured SEMH interventions aren’t just about managing behaviour - they can genuinely transform lives.

Ready to make a difference? Secure your SEMH intervention.

Download SEMH intervention guide