Connected - The Thrive® Podcast
Connected - The Thrive® Podcast is the show for anyone working alongside children and young people, exploring the importance of creating supportive and positive relationships to help children maintain healthy social and emotional development and build their resilience.
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How we created a school to meet the needs of deaf students – and the role Thrive plays in this
02/29/2024
How we created a school to meet the needs of deaf students – and the role Thrive plays in this
The latest episode of Thrive’s Connected podcast features Mark Stokes, Partnership and Community Manager at the Deaf Academy, in Exmouth, Devon. The Academy is one of around 18 specialist schools for deaf children and young people in the UK. It has 66 pupils aged from 9 to 25-years-old and uses the Thrive Approach to help pupils to feel emotionally-regulated and ready to learn. Listen to the 17-minute podcast to gain: An understanding of the intersection between hearing loss and social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs An insight into how the Academy uses Thrive to meet these needs An insight into how the Academy has created a space that removes barriers to learning for deaf pupils Tips for adaptations that mainstream schools should make for deaf or hearing impaired pupils
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Taking a diocese-wide approach to creating an anti-bullying culture
10/19/2023
Taking a diocese-wide approach to creating an anti-bullying culture
The latest episode of Thrive’s Connected podcast is celebrating National Bullying Prevention Month. In this episode, we’re joined by Jo Warner, Assistant Director of Education on the Joint Education Team of the Durham and Newcastle Diocesan Boards of Education. Jo talks about the guidance that church schools receive around bullying and how the 106 schools she works with put this into practice. Listen to the 9-minute podcast to discover: An outline of the Church of England guidance for schools, Valuing All God’s Children and how this relates to the protected characteristics (of the Equality Act) and to bullying in a broader sense Why relationships are crucial when it comes to creating an anti-bullying culture and why staff need to model positive relationships How Thrive has changed Jo’s practice as an education professional Why wellbeing needs to be a curriculum-wide approach, rather than staying confined to PHSE lessons
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Creating an anti-bullying culture across a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)
10/16/2023
Creating an anti-bullying culture across a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)
The latest episode of Thrive’s Connected podcast is celebrating National Bullying Prevention Month. In this episode, we’re joined by Beryce Nixon, CEO of the Exceed Learning Partnership, who explains how her MAT creates an anti-bullying culture across its settings. As well as discussing how the curriculum plays an important role in creating this culture, Beryce also explains how a MAT-wide approach can support schools, while still giving the freedom to respond to the needs of their own communities. Listen to the 21-minute podcast to discover: Why MATs need to take a preventative approach to bullying rather than simply tackling incidents as they arise How this culture can be created and embedded across a MAT so that it is truly effective The role of curriculum design and how this can bring the idea of difference into everyday conversations for children and young people How Thrive-Online helps the Exceed Learning Partnership to understand the individual needs of all pupils
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We’re a Thrive School of Excellence for mental wellbeing – here's what we do for pupils, staff and parents
10/03/2023
We’re a Thrive School of Excellence for mental wellbeing – here's what we do for pupils, staff and parents
In this episode, we focus on Rose Lane Primary School, in East London, which is a Thrive School of Excellence for mental health. Katie Parks, the school’s Counsellor, Mental Health Lead and Thrive Lead explains how mental wellbeing unlocks attendance and attainment and how the right structures, including having a Designated Mental Health Lead, can make the difference in terms of supporting pupils.
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How to build trusting and open relationships with parents and carers
08/21/2023
How to build trusting and open relationships with parents and carers
The latest episode of Thrive’s focuses on how educators can create and maintain good relationships with parents and carers. In the podcast, Rose Webb, Thrive’s Policy, Practice and Innovation lead, explains the benefits that a trusting and open relationship between home and school can bring for staff, parents and carers and, of course, for children and young people. “Children and young people transition between home and school and there are lots of experiences that happen in between. If there is a supportive relationship between home and school it means that children understand that they are connected and it helps them to have a sense of the network of support and care that is around them,” said Rose. Listen to discover: · How good relationships between home and school can help create a preventative approach to mental health problems, with parents and carers more likely to be pro-active about communicating issues at home and potential problems. · What a trusting and open relationship with families and carers looks like in practice. · Why parents may struggle to engage with school because of their own past experiences – and how to respond if this is the case. · How Family Thrive sessions can foster these good relationships. How good relationships can be developed and maintained in the smallest details such as the language used on a school’s website
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Behaviour: How to engage with hard-to-reach children
04/20/2023
Behaviour: How to engage with hard-to-reach children
In this episode, we’re talking about behaviour and the importance of asking why a child or young person is behaving the way they are. My guest is author, behaviour specialist and teacher Adele Bates who works with specialist and mainstream schools in the UK and abroad on everything from writing behaviour policies to tackling aggressive behaviour in the classroom. Adele will be delivering a CPD keynote for Thrive later this spring looking at how educators can engage with hard-to-reach children whose behaviour may be particularly concerning. Listen to discover: Real-life examples of behaviour issues that Adele has encountered – and the strategies she used to get a different outcome The importance of curiosity when it comes to unpicking classroom behaviour Why neuroscience is key when it comes to understanding behaviour The importance of examining our own behaviours and attitudes when it comes to de-escalation The impact of the pandemic on behaviour
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LGBTQIA+ and mental health: what educators need to know
04/06/2023
LGBTQIA+ and mental health: what educators need to know
In this episode, we’re talking about gender and sexuality and why it’s important to consider them when talking to children and young people about mental health and wellbeing. My guest is education consultant and former deputy headteacher Ian Timbrell, who trains staff to create a genuinely inclusive culture of diversity when it comes to LGBTQIA+. Ian will be delivering two CPD sessions for Thrive in the next few months giving practical tips about how primary and secondary school staff can respond to children and young people who want to have conversations around gender and sexuality. He will also focus on language – what to say and what to avoid – so that educators can feel confident about having sensitive and supportive conversations with all children and young people. Listen to discover: Why the + is the most important part of LGBTQIA+ How you can avoid tokenism in schools and create a genuine culture of inclusion and diversity Why educators shouldn’t shy away from conversations about gender, sexuality and identity and how allowing children and young people to be open will benefit their mental health The one question classroom staff should ask if a child initiates a conversation around gender and identity Why LGBTQIA+ is not a safeguarding issue
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Toileting and continence in schools: why it’s about mental as well as physical health
02/23/2023
Toileting and continence in schools: why it’s about mental as well as physical health
In this episode we are talking about toileting and continence. It’s still seen as a taboo subject – something that our guest, Thrive Licensed Practitioner, Cathryn Giles, is passionate about changing. Cathryn is an Early Years Transition Worker in the Education Service at Cardiff Council. As part of her role, Cathryn does outreach works with schools in Cardiff to support pupils who are having problems with continence and toileting. This includes a wide range of issues across all age groups – from very young children who insist on staying in nappies through to teenagers who have stomas or catheters. Listen in to discover: How emotional wellbeing can affect toileting behaviours – and why it’s important to take a holistic and nurturing approach How she uses Thrive to support pupils who are having problems How Covid has impacted on toileting issues – from online GP appointments through to disruptions to baby and toddler groups How classroom staff can support pupils who may be embarrassed about problems with toileting and continence Cathryn’s four top tips to help pupils of all age groups to have good bladder and bowel health How schools can get children involved in making their loos a better environment so that they feel calm and relaxed when they go
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Neuroscience: what classroom staff need to know
02/20/2023
Neuroscience: what classroom staff need to know
In this episode we are talking about neuroscience and how educators can use it to build effective connections with the children and young people they teach. Our guest today is Thrive Partnerships Lead and former teacher, Senco and headteacher, Kay Hamilton. Kay is a passionate advocate for the use of neuroscience in understanding classroom behaviour and in creating relationships that enable change to take place. Listen in to discover: How to translate neuroscience into effective classroom practice An explanation of the role of serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin in connection Why connection between humans is so important for good mental health Why disconnection can lead to an increase in cortisol, the stress hormone An explanation of the link between social connection and the brain’s ability to form new neuronal pathways and to learn Practical suggestions for language and activities that help to build connections
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Cortisol in the classroom: Behaviours to look out for (and how schools can help)
01/12/2023
Cortisol in the classroom: Behaviours to look out for (and how schools can help)
“If families are stressed, it will be having an impact on children in school.” The cost-of-living crisis was recently identified as the leading cause of anxiety in young people. In this 3-minute video, Thrive’s Head of Partnerships, Lee Prichard, talks about the impact a cortisol increase can have on pupils’ behaviour in the classroom, the signs to look out for, and how educators can help. Press play to get started.
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Teacher stress: The impact of cortisol on the body (plus tips for staying calm in class)
01/12/2023
Teacher stress: The impact of cortisol on the body (plus tips for staying calm in class)
“We’re seeing increasing levels of anxiety. And anxiety is the fuel for cortisol.” Cortisol. The primary stress hormone. Due to the cost-of-living crisis, there’s a lot of it about at the moment. In this 5-minute video, Thrive’s Head of Product and Innovation, Viv Trask-Hall, discusses the wide variety of impacts the stress hormone can have on a teacher’s body. And shares her tried-and-tested strategies for how to remain calm in class. Press play to get started.
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How to de-escalate pupils' fight, flight and freeze responses
12/08/2022
How to de-escalate pupils' fight, flight and freeze responses
In this episode Viv Trask-Hall talks about discharge behaviours - the fight, flight and freeze responses. Viv explains the neuroscience that underlies these behaviours and suggests some useful strategies for managing them including giving examples of language that can de-escalate situations.
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Attendance: Simple steps to make improvements
11/10/2022
Attendance: Simple steps to make improvements
In this episode, we’re looking at attendance with Jayne Lowe, OBE, an education consultation and Department for Education adviser. Jayne is the founder and managing director of Bright Green Learning and started her career as a teacher before becoming a headteacher and behaviour and attendance consultant working with primary, secondary and special schools as well as local authorities. Jayne shares the latest data relating to attendance and looks at reasons behind current trends. She also puts forward some practical suggestions for what classroom staff and senior leaders can do to help improve attendance in their settings. Listen in to learn: How to identify and remove barriers that may be making it difficult for children to attend The importance of communicating, repeatedly, to staff and students what good attendance looks like The power of welcomes – and how to welcome a young person back to school How and why to use rewards The importance of a whole school approach to attendance
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We managed transition differently this year using Thrive – here’s what happened next
09/29/2022
We managed transition differently this year using Thrive – here’s what happened next
In this episode, we feature Thrive® Licensed Practitioner, Dawn Wheeldon, Behaviour Manager at Conyers School, in Stockton-on-Tees. Dawn and her colleagues decided to take a different approach to transition this year by working with a group of pupils who were identified as being likely to struggle with the transition to secondary school. Dawn reveals the simple strategies she implemented and explains the striking results they have had. Listen in to discover: Why focusing on a core group of pupils is key – and how to identify them Which activities work best to help pupils prepare for transition Simple strategies to get buy in from parents and to build a positive relationship with them before term starts How you can involve older pupils by creating successful buddy schemes Press play to get started
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How to comfort a young person when you’re feeling bereft
09/12/2022
How to comfort a young person when you’re feeling bereft
In this episode, Thrive’s Head of Innovation and Principal Trainer Viv Trask-Hall is joined by Child Bereavement UK’s Education Development Officer Rebecca Haycock to discuss how educators can support children and young people who may be showing signs of grief following the death of the Queen. Listen in to learn: How to respond to questions that young people may ask Why the death of a high-profile person can be a trigger for previous bereavements How adults can support children and young people while managing their own grief How to approach ‘difficult’ conversations
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Why wellbeing needs to underpin attainment in the education system
09/01/2022
Why wellbeing needs to underpin attainment in the education system
In this episode, Thrive’s Managing Director, Anna Smee, considers the recent Times Education Commission’s report which calls for a ‘radical reset’ of our education system. Anna, who was previously CEO of the Youth Futures Foundation before joining Thrive earlier this year, considers the proposals the report makes around wellbeing – including a shift in emphasis towards prevention rather than cure and that teachers should be better-supported with annual training around mental health.
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Quick mental health support wins - without adding to your workload
06/13/2022
Quick mental health support wins - without adding to your workload
In this episode, Thrive’s Strategic Lead and Trainer Kay Hamilton talks about how to improve mental wellbeing in your school quickly and effectively using existing resources and communication channels to avoid adding to the workload of classroom staff. Listen to learn: How to identify opportunities to teach mental wellbeing skills and awareness Why focusing on improving children’s mental wellbeing will lead to improved outcomes including behaviour, attainment and attendance Questions you should ask yourself before embarking on mental health training The role of senior leaders – how to differentiate between strategy and implementation for effective outcomes
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How to evidence the impact of your setting’s wellbeing practice
05/10/2022
How to evidence the impact of your setting’s wellbeing practice
In this episode, we feature Thrive® Licensed Practitioner, education consultant and Ofsted inspector Sandra Teacher talking about her upcoming webinar about how to evaluate the impact of your mental wellbeing practice. Listen in to discover: Tips to change your school’s mindset around inspections Why schools need to put the same emphasis on wellbeing as they do on traditional, academic subjects The importance of communicating wellbeing practice across the school community – including governors, families and support staff Why context is key for an inspector Why student voice is one of the most effective ways to evidence impact Press play to get started
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The teenagers leading the mental health conversation
03/03/2022
The teenagers leading the mental health conversation
From Stephen Fry and suicide prevention to time-management skills and outdated PHSE, teenagers Conor and Bridie shine a light on the impetus for creating their mental health platform, Spark UK, and the content void they are working to fill. Listen in to discover: Why anger fuelled a desire to curate mental health resources for young people The unexpected challenges facing teenagers today The ongoing stigma surrounding mental health – and where they feel society is in terms of a shift How to navigate school Wi-Fi alongside GCSEs and an impromptu live interview on Sky News! The importance of instilling self-care acts from a young age What’s next for Spark UK as an authority on young people’s mental health Press play below to get started.
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How to spot the signs of emotional based school avoidance
02/03/2022
How to spot the signs of emotional based school avoidance
Emotional Based School Avoidance is a term used to describe children and young people who experience challenges in attending school due to negative feelings such as anxiety. In this episode, Dom Sagar, Thrive’s Relationship Manager for the North and Central England, explains that this is usually associated with emotional and physical distress and a reluctance to attend school or absconding from lessons within the settings - leading to reduced attendance. The BBC reported last year that there is a ‘tsunami’ of cases of EBSA, in many cases exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, with many parents and teachers struggling to support children. Listen in to discover: The early signs of Emotional Based School Avoidance ‘In the moment’ strategies to tackle EBSA in your setting The neuroscience behind a student’s dysregulation How to support and steady your students for learning The importance of celebrating small wins on a daily basis Actionable insights to prevent school anxiety taking hold in the first place Press play to get started.
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How Maple Cross School is reducing behavioural incidents
01/01/2022
How Maple Cross School is reducing behavioural incidents
This episode features an initiative by Maple Cross Junior Mixed Infant and Nursery School, in Hertfordshire, which is helping children to name and understand their emotions and how they impact their behaviour. Find out more about how this simple technique has resulted in fewer behavioural incidents at the school, with children reporting an increased level of insight into their own feelings and empathy towards others.
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From truancy to academic attainment (plus why Northfields chose Thrive)
10/18/2021
From truancy to academic attainment (plus why Northfields chose Thrive)
In this episode, we feature Thrive® trainer Sharon Gray and Licensed Practitioner Sam Strange in conversation about what it’s like to undertake Thrive training and the changes it brings personally and professionally.
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Self-care tips for classroom staff (and the importance of a relational approach)
06/03/2021
Self-care tips for classroom staff (and the importance of a relational approach)
In this episode, we feature Rose Webb, Thrive’s South West Relationship Manager talking about self-care. We also hear from Jo Phillips, a former doctor and Thrive Licensed Practitioner who has co-authored a book called Mental Health and Wellbeing in Primary Education.
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How to reframe 'challenging' behaviour (and putting mental wellbeing at the heart of the curriculum)
05/11/2021
How to reframe 'challenging' behaviour (and putting mental wellbeing at the heart of the curriculum)
In this episode we talk to Mona Delahooke, a California-based licensed clinical psychologist who is the author of the book Beyond Behaviours: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioural Challenges. Mona is one of two keynote speakers who will be delivering webinars in the next couple of months for Thrive’s Forging New Connections conference series. We also hear from Christopher Harrison, Assistant Headteacher at Grove Road Community Primary School, in North Yorkshir
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A conversation with Kim Golding (plus children trained in Thrive)
04/01/2021
A conversation with Kim Golding (plus children trained in Thrive)
In this episode, we feature Kim Golding, who is a clinical psychologist, author and Dyadic Developmental Practice consultant and trainer. Kim is one of two keynote speakers who will be delivering webinars in the next couple of months for Thrive’s Forging New Connections series. We also hear about the playground buddy scheme at Perry Wood Primary and Nursery School, in Worcester, which features children trained to support their peers using the Vital Relational Functions.
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How to prepare for a school return (and Thrive's first School of Excellence)
03/02/2021
How to prepare for a school return (and Thrive's first School of Excellence)
In this episode, we feature Kay Hamilton, Thrive’s Central West Relationship Manager talking how about teachers and parents and carers can prepare for the full re-opening of schools. Kay shares some really useful insight into the range of emotions children may be feeling and she gives simple, practical tips on how trusted adults can help them to be ready to go back. We also hear from Paul Baker, Headteacher of Gulval School, in Penzance. Paul talks about leading the first Thrive School of Excellence in England, how his school came to have its own farm – and what it felt like to climb Snowdon with his pupils.
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Children's Mental Health Week (and why self-expression is vital)
02/01/2021
Children's Mental Health Week (and why self-expression is vital)
In this episode, Liz Parks interviews Rose Webb, Thrive’s South West relationship Manager about Children’s Mental Health Week, which runs from February 1 to 7.
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How to manage discharge behaviours in a busy classroom
01/18/2021
How to manage discharge behaviours in a busy classroom
Episode 7 – Discharge Behaviours
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Helping prevent the need for exclusion
05/12/2020
Helping prevent the need for exclusion
To mark a year since the publication of the Timpson Review, in this latest episode of the Thrive Pedagogy podcast we’ll be discussing how much progress has been made in implementing the 30 recommendations that Mr. Timpson put forward and to explain why it is important to understand the emotional need that often lies behind ‘bad’ behaviour displayed by children who may be at risk of exclusion.
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How Thrive adapted and upskilled staff to deliver online training during lockdown
04/17/2020
How Thrive adapted and upskilled staff to deliver online training during lockdown
In this episode, Thrive's Head of Innovation in Education & Principal Trainer Viv Trask-Hall will be talking about the changes we have made to our courses to respond to government guidelines about social distancing and travel restrictions.
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