Use of the Therapeutic Thinking tools

Objective

The school aimed to create a consistent, step-by-step approach to understanding and supporting behaviour and wellbeing.

Actions

After completing the 3-day Therapeutic Thinking training, tutors worked together to draft a clear and easy-to-use behaviour policy. They planned a full staff review after six weeks to make sure it worked in practice.

The policy included positive consequences and scripted language to guide staff, with the understanding that staff should also use their knowledge of individual pupils.

They introduced the Therapeutic Thinking flowchart into the policy and trained staff to use the Early Prognosis tool, especially to support transitions and the Therapeutic Tree.

Rewriting the behaviour policy also inspired leaders to update other school policies in a more accessible and user-friendly format.

Impact

• Staff feel more confident supporting pupils.
• They now think more about the reasons behind behaviour and understand that while some behaviours aren’t acceptable, they can be understandable.
• The approach has improved wellbeing across the school.
• Staff spend less time on unnecessary paperwork.
• Using the Early Prognosis tool has led to better conversations and planning for transitions, especially for September.
• Training on the Therapeutic Tree helped staff identify needs and plan protective and educational consequences for individuals and groups.
• A few pupils now have tailored support plans, which also led to expanding nurture provision to reach more children.
• Parents have noticed the benefits of the new approach and say it’s helping their children.
• Staff and pupils now share a common language around behaviour, which has also improved communication with external professionals.
• Pupils feel confident asking questions and speaking up when they feel unsure or unsafe. They’re learning how to make things right and understand that fairness means giving everyone what they need to succeed.
• Pupils feel heard and supported. They’ve said:

“We always feel like the teachers listen.”

“Teachers want to talk to us.”

Next steps

• Staff will continue to embed the policy and schedule regular reviews.
• They’re exploring ways to share the approach more widely with the school community, including parents and governors, through new-starter meetings and Parent Forum events.