Thrive brings 'hope for future' at East London school

East London primary school wins a second award for its focus on pupils' mental wellbeing

A primary school in Romford, in London, has been named as a Thrive Ambassador School with a second area of expertise for the role it plays in supporting the wellbeing of its pupils, helping to prevent mental health issues arising in the future.

Rose Lane Primary School, which has 635 pupils, has been named as an Ambassador School with Excellence in Reparative after going through a rigorous assessment process with Thrive®.

Thrive® trains teachers and other education professionals to support the emotional and social development of all children.

Earlier this year, it was named as an Ambassador School with Excellence in Leadership. The Reparative award recognises schools that have excelled in helping children who have gaps in their social and emotional development and are successfully meeting their needs.

The Leadership award recognises extraordinary schools where senior management and governors have prioritised mental wellbeing, recognising that this is the foundation for successful learning and life skills such as resilience that will equip children, staff, and the wider community with the ability to cope with life's ups and downs.

Since Rose Lane Primary School started using the Thrive Approach® it has seen a drop in fixed-term exclusions of 73 per cent, and a significant reduction in referrals to external agencies.

Headteacher Jacqui Barnard, said: "It is inspiring to see the rate of implementation of Thrive across our school. This second award in a relatively short period of time is indicative of a staff team who not only recognise its value but who readily include it in their daily practice."

Teaching assistant, Kirsty Lewis, said: "As a TA I have experienced first-hand the positive impact the Thrive Approach has on children. Making them feel safe, seen, and heard, nurturing their resilience in tough times, and raising their self-esteem to help inspire their natural curiosity for learning.

"Gaining the award makes me feel proud of the work we have done as a team and gives me hope for the future and for the positive mental health of pupils and staff."

Thrive's Ambassador Schools scheme has been launched as a way of recognising excellence in the way schools use Thrive to promote positive mental wellbeing.

There are five areas in which a school can evidence how they 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, when allowed under Covid-19 restrictions, 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.

"Rose Lane is a fantastic example of a school that has placed mental wellbeing at the heart of everything it does. It is particularly encouraging to see the impact this focus on a whole-school approach to promoting positive wellbeing has had on key aspects of school life such as fixed-term exclusions.

"If children know they are safe and supported at school they will be in a much better place to access learning and they will do well," said Alistair Dewar, Thrive relationship manager for London.

Over to you

Reduced anxiety and behavioural incidents. Calmer classrooms filled with engaged leaners. Improved relationships with parents and carers. These are just some of the outcomes reported by settings embedding Thrive’s whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. Are you ready to join them? Click here to get started.