Thrive and PATHs

Thrive and PATHs at Holly Meadows

Here at Holly Meadows we use an approach called Thrive to prepare pupils for life’s emotional ups and downs. This approach is informed by up to date neuroscience based on the belief that emotional health and wellbeing are connected directly to a child’s emotional development. This in turn affects their behaviour and their access to learning so that they become more resilient and resourceful and can work together collaboratively. Mrs Riviere and Mrs Dewing have completed training to identify the emotional needs that underlie troubling behaviours and use / have simple practical strategies to address them. To support their work, the school has developed a Thrive Group Room where 1:1 and group work can take place.

We believe that this tried and tested approach will help the staff in school to understand our children and young people help them to engage with and progress with their learning.

Further information is also available from the Thrive website.

Our PSHE lessons follow the PATHS® curriculum; a comprehensive program that promotes emotional and social competencies. The PATHS® model is designed to be integrated throughout the whole curriculum including writing, reading and listening skills.  We believe that effective PSHE lessons reduce aggression and behaviour problems while simultaneously enhancing the educational process in the classroom.

The PATHS® curriculum is taught through assemblies, weekly lessons and behaviour recovery.  All staff including teaching assistants and midday supervisory assistants use PATHS strategies to facilitate the children’s emotional literacy, self-control, social competence, positive peer relations and interpersonal problem-solving skills. A key objective of promoting these developmental skills is to prevent or reduce behavioural and emotional problems.

Every child gets the opportunity to be PATHS® Pupil of the Day.  This is a regular activity which builds self-esteem by receiving compliments from classmates, teachers and friends.  Children really enjoy this activity and develop the important skill of being able to compliment themselves.  Please look out for your child's compliment certificate and add a compliment of your own.  The compliments received are then celebrated in class the next day.

If you have any questions or concerns, please make an appointment to see Mrs Riviere who is the co-ordinator for Thrive and PATHs.