At Ryecroft we use The Thrive Approach to help support our children with their social and emotional development. Thrive helps our children to feel safe, supported and ready to learn. We use The Thrive Approach as a whole school strategy to promote positive mental health and the growth of emotional resilience. Thrive helps us to support the development of confident, curious, creative and capable children. We believe that positive mental health improves the ability to learn and therefore opens doors to a bright future for our children. 

But what is Thrive?

Thrive is a special way of working with children that helps to develop their social and emotional wellbeing, enabling them to engage with life and learning. It supports them in becoming more self-assured, capable and adaptable. It can also address any troubling behaviours providing a firm foundation for academic attainment.

Positive relationships with dedicated staff are at the heart of Thrive. We use these relationships, together with play and creative activities, to give children key experiences at each different stage of their development. Repetition of these activities supports their development, helping them to: Thrive.

This is a whole school approach with all staff having involvement in the identification, profiling and support of our children’s mental and emotional wellbeing. We have a dedicated Thrive practitioner within the academy who carries out tailored 1:1 and group support for our children. It is through these sessions that developmental gaps are identified and addressed building resilience.

We have a dedicated Thrive room within the academy which has been a labour of love by staff to ensure it is has been filled with the all the resources staff and children need to interact, create and regulate. Children can read, paint and construct at their own pace. While this space is used to facilitate Thrive sessions, the space is also open to all children, and staff to support mental and emotional wellbeing, relationships and development throughout the school day including lunchtimes. We have also created an additional Thrive space within the academy.

We want to see every child Thrive!

At SRyecroft Primary Academy, we’re committed to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.

– Mr Wood is our Senior Mental Health Lead.

– Miss Wykez is our Wellbeing Lead.

– Mrs Lamb is our SENDCO

Within the academy, there are 3 Mental Health First Aiders: Mr Wood, Miss Wykez and Miss Shaheen.

We believe a whole school approach to the topic is paramount and ensure all stakeholders are educated about mental health and wellbeing, in addition to being offered support at both a whole school and individual level. Mrs Silburn works with children and families, as well as working with outside agencies to locate support and education for pupils.

Our environment aims to promote wellbeing for both pupils and staff. We have a fully resourced Thrive room, a sensory space withing Willows and the Rainbow Room in addition to our classrooms and intervention spaces.

Our curriculum is designed to support mental health and wellbeing and includes: PSHCE sessions focussing on the topic, whole class Thrive sessions and themed days relating to specific topics throughout the year.