Our Therapeutic Approach to Behaviour

At our school, everything we do is built around our values — Belong, Believe, Achieve. We want every child to feel that they belong, to believe in themselves, and to achieve their very best.

We know that all behaviour is a form of communication — it shows us how a child is feeling inside. When children feel safe, special, and have their needs met, they are ready to learn and grow. Our therapeutic approach helps us make this happen every day.

A calm, consistent and kind approach

We always respond to children with calm, consistent, and kind support. This means that when things go wrong, adults stay steady and understanding. We help children learn how to manage their feelings and make good choices, instead of punishing mistakes.

Our staff understand that it’s not about children won’t behave — it’s often that they can’t yet. We work with each child to build the skills they need to succeed.

We use our therapeutic approach to:

• Help children recognise their feelings

• Support them to find safe ways to calm down

• Celebrate their successes, however small

• Keep routines predictable and positive

When children feel calm and cared for, they can think clearly, make better decisions, and feel proud of themselves.

The Thrive approach

We use the Thrive Approach to help every child develop socially and emotionally.
Thrive helps us understand what a child is feeling, what they need, and how we can support them to feel safe and secure.

Through Thrive, we:

• Notice how each child is doing and what they might be telling us through their behaviour

• Build positive, trusting relationships with every pupil

• Use activities like play, creativity, movement, and reflection to help children grow emotionally

• Focus on connection before correction — helping children feel understood before talking about what went wrong

Thrive supports our belief that children need to feel safe, special, and have their needs met before they can learn.

The parachute of support

We think about our children having a ‘parachute of support’. Imagine a big, colourful parachute held by all the adults who care for a child — parents, teachers, family members, and friends. When lots of people are holding on, the parachute feels strong and safe.

If a child doesn’t have many adults holding the parachute, they might not feel so secure. That’s where our school community steps in — adding new, caring adults who can hold on tight and help.
Our goal is to make sure every child feels held, cared for, and surrounded by people who believe in them.

Why we don’t rely on punishment

We know that punishment might stop behaviour for a short time, but it doesn’t teach new skills or meet a child’s needs. Instead, we use therapeutic strategies to help children:

• Understand what happened

• Repair relationships

• Practise new skills and coping strategies

By helping children learn from what happened instead of feeling ashamed, we build trust and confidence for the future.

Belong, Believe, Achieve

Our approach links to everything we do:

• Belong – Every child is part of our school family. They are cared for, included, and valued for who they are.

• Believe – We help children believe in themselves, knowing that with the right support, they can manage challenges and succeed.

• Achieve – When children feel safe, special, and understood, they are ready to learn, grow, and achieve their goals.

Our Promise

Every day, we remind ourselves that our children need to:
✅ Be safe
✅ Feel special
✅ Have their needs met

Through a calm, consistent, and kind therapeutic approach — supported by Thrive — we help every child build confidence, connection, and the skills they need for life.