At Highfields Primary Academy, we are committed to nurturing not just academic progress but the emotional wellbeing, confidence, resilience and social development of every pupil. We use the Thrive Approach, a nationally recognised, trauma-sensitive framework that supports children’s social, emotional and mental health as part of everyday school life.

Thrive helps our pupils feel safe, supported and ready to learn – because when children feel secure and understood, they are able to flourish both in the classroom and beyond.

The Thrive Approach is a dynamic, developmental and trauma-sensitive way of working with children. It is based on up-to-date research from neuroscience, child development and attachment theory, which helps adults understand behaviour as a form of communication and respond in supportive, tailored ways.

Key elements of Thrive include:

Thrive at Highfields Primary Academy is delivered through a combination of universal and targeted approaches:

All pupils benefit from a nurturing school culture where:

We recognise that children don’t always feel ready to engage academically or socially if they are experiencing emotional overwhelm, stress or uncertainty. To support pupils in these moments, we provide dedicated Thrive Spaces – calm, nurturing environments where children can pause, regulate and be supported to understand and express their feelings.

Thrive Spaces are used to:

The spaces are resourced with carefully chosen materials, such as sensory tools, calming activities and emotion resources, to support emotional development in an age-appropriate way.

Support is led by trained Thrive Practitioners and embedded across the school by all staff who are trained in the Thrive Approach, helping pupils feel safe, understood and ready to re-engage with learning.

We see Thrive as part of our whole-school approach to wellbeing, behaviour and mental health. Our staff are trained to use Thrive principles across the school day, and we work collaboratively with families so that pupils receive consistent support at home and in school. This reinforces positive development and strengthens resilience.

Thrive is not just an intervention – it’s a way of thinking about children’s needs, celebrating their strengths and responding with understanding and empathy.

Schools across the UK using Thrive report a range of benefits, including:

By embedding Thrive throughout Highfields, we help pupils develop the confidence and skills they need to thrive – in school and in life.

Read more about the Thrive Approach – practical information about how Thrive works in schools and on emotional wellbeing: https://www.thriveapproach.com/