Thriving Lives Toolkit for schools

August 2, 2024

The Service Children’s Progression Alliance is a partnership of organisations focused on improving outcomes for Service children, hosted by the University of Winchester and supported by the Ministry of Defence. The Alliance undertook extensive, targeted research, working in collaboration with schools and other partners across the UK, to establish a toolkit.

Access the toolkit here: Thriving Lives Toolkit

This toolkit helps schools ensure they provide effective support to Service children. It provides detailed resources including the evidence base, what schools can do to support their Service children, who can help, and a range of case studies. The toolkit provides a framework of 7 principles through which schools can reflect on their practice and a 3-tier set of CPD resources. The principles are as follows.

1. Clarity of approach – Leaders’ understanding and approach ensure resources and policies improve Service children’s outcomes.
2. Wellbeing is supported – Tailored pastoral provision supports Service children‘s mental health and wellbeing.
3. Achievement is maximised – Teaching, assessment and support ensure the continuity of Service children’s learning and progression.
4. Transition is effective – Systems and support ensure seamless transitions for Service children arriving at and leaving school.
5. Children are heard – Service children’s diverse voices are heard and inform the support they receive.
6. Parents are engaged – Strong home-school partnerships help Service families feel valued as part of the school community.
7. Staff are well-informed – Supportive training and networks ensure all staff understand and support each Service child.