Thrive
At Shipston Primary School, every child matters and all children need to feel safe, valued, appreciated and included. We want every child coming to our school to feel happy, content and confident, ready to embrace the day in our secure and friendly environment.
Thrive is a therapeutic approach to help support children with their emotional and social development.
The Thrive approach offers practical strategies and techniques and is built around online assessments which identify children’s development and provides action plans for their individual needs.
Research has shown that how we behave is linked to how we feel and our emotions are linked to how we learn. By teaching children to recognise and notice these feelings and emotions it can help with their development and learning.
Children sometimes need some extra support with their emotional growth and this can be temporary or over a longer period of time.Thrive promotes their emotional and social growth by building positive relationships between a child and their peers and helps them explore and understand their feelings through various activities.
Why might my child attend a Thrive session?
Many children experience difficulties during their time at school. These may include:
- Difficulties with friendships.
- Getting into trouble at playtime.
- Finding it hard to settle in the classroom.
- Finding it difficult to manage their strong feelings.
- Not knowing who to turn to when feelings are too big to manage on their own.
These situations can lead to many different feelings which may seem overwhelming at times. They might include: anger, frustration, sadness, loneliness, confusion or anxiety. All these feelings are very normal and happen to a lot of children. The Thrive sessions are to help children learn to manage their feelings and teach them strategies that will help promote their learning at school.
Sessions may be on an individual basis or within a small group of children. Some of the activities we may do in a session may include:
- Storytelling.
- Circle games.
- Go Noodle (Movement).
- Sand Play or water play.
- Arts and crafts.
- Relaxation.
For more information about the Thrive approach see the website www.thriveapproach.com
or contact Vanessa Faulkner (Pastoral Manager and Thrive Practitioner) via the school office.
Family Thrive
Family Thrive is a short course that Mrs. Faulkner and Mrs. Turner (Licensed Thrive Practitioners) run regularly for parents and carers to help you understand the Thrive Approach and how it makes a difference to the wellbeing of children – and therefore the whole family.
Family Thrive offers families simple strategies and activities that help build positive relationships with children, ensuring that there is a common approach to wellbeing and relationships at home and at school.
But why is this so important and what benefits does it bring?
MORE LIKELY TO SUCCEED
Attainment
When schools and families work together, pupils are more likely to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Positive family/school relationships contribute to better attendance, higher grades, improved behaviour, and increased motivation to learn. Families provide vital support and reinforcement of learning at home, which complements and extends the work done in the classroom.
Communication and engagement
Building positive relationships with families promotes open and effective communication between schools and parents. Regular and meaningful communication helps parents stay informed about their child's progress, school activities, and upcoming events. It also allows parents to share important information about their child's needs, interests, and concerns. Engaged families are more likely to be involved in their child's education, attend parents’ evenings and actively participate in school events and activities.
POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
Collaborative problem-solving
When schools and families establish positive relationships, they create a foundation for collaborative problem-solving. Working together, they can address challenges and find solutions that best meet the needs of the students. Families can provide valuable insights into their child's strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles, which can inform instructional strategies and interventions. By involving families in decision-making processes, schools can create a sense of shared responsibility and ownership, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions.
Inclusion
Positive relationships with families help schools to better understand and appreciate the diverse cultural backgrounds, languages, and experiences of their pupils. By valuing and respecting the cultural perspectives and practices of families, schools can create inclusive environments where all children and young people feel welcome, respected, and understood. This fosters a sense of belonging and enhances educational experiences for pupils from different backgrounds.
PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN SCHOOL AND FAMILIES
Community building
Schools that actively engage with families contribute to building a strong sense of community. When families feel connected to their children’s school, they are more likely to support its initiatives, volunteer their time and expertise, and participate in school-wide events. These partnerships between schools and families extend beyond the academic realm, benefiting the entire community and promoting a positive and supportive educational environment.
