Cross in Hand CEP - Thrive Team

Mrs Williams-Finch – Deputy Head, SENDCo and lead Thrive practitioner.

In 2010, my Inclusion Assistant and I embarked on an 18-month training programme to introduce the Thrive approach at Cross in Hand CEP School.

Working closely with parents, I began delivering Thrive assessments and strategies on a one-to-one basis with selected Year 6 children who were struggling to make academic progress despite a range of interventions. Small changes were noticed immediately and, with regular and consistent sessions, the children grew in self-confidence, developed greater emotional awareness, and built stronger relationships with their peers. Feeling noticed, safe, and valued empowered them to re-engage with learning and achieve their full potential in the classroom.

Today, I lead and oversee how children are supported by Thrive across the whole school — from one-to-one interventions to a comprehensive whole-school approach. I am passionate about enabling children to flourish not only in school but also at home and, ultimately, as confident, resilient and emotionally literate adults in the big wide world.

I am immensely proud of our school’s journey, supported by a team of dedicated and highly skilled Thrive practitioners. Read on to learn more about each member of our wonderful team.

Mrs Harrison – Thrive practitioner

Hello, I’m Mrs Harrison. I started at Cross-in-Hand primary as an LSA in 2013 and started my training as a Thrive practitioner in 2015, qualifying in 2016, and now work solely as a Thrive practitioner. I absolutely love my role here and have had the pleasure seeing the difference it makes over the past 10 years.

5 years ago, I also started a degree as a counsellor and am now a qualified person-centred counsellor. This has brought an added dimension to understanding attachment, development and behaviours in children and young people.

Outside of school, I love spending time in nature, reading and being creative I love all things autumnal and Christmas related, even though my children remind me that September is too early for Christmas music!

Mrs Harding – Thrive practitioner

Hello! I’m Miss Harding, and I began working at Cross in Hand in 2021 as an LSA. I also delivered a daily speech and language programme to children in Early Years.

When I started here, I was immediately impressed by the whole school Thrive training which staff received and I couldn’t help wish that all schools had such an informed, inclusive and warm approach to supporting their pupils. I was thrilled to train as a Thrive Practitioner in 2022 and this is now my sole role. The Thrive approach prioritises children’s need to feel safe and valued, and it means the world to me to see the positive impact that this has throughout the school.

When I’m not at school I love to be with my family and friends; enjoying nature, theatre and art or simply being cosy at home.

Mrs Bennett – Thrive practitioner

Hi, I’m Mrs Bennett, I have 4 older children and 7 grandchildren ranging from 3 years to 21 years.

I enjoy spending lots of time with my family and friends, paddleboarding when the sun is shining and walking Murphy my 3 year old sausage dog.

I have worked as an Individual need’s assistant at Cross in Hand since the beginning of 2022.

I started my Thrive journey in 2017, when my grandchild then in year 1 started theirs. I was extremely interested and impressed with all the emotional support, experiences and understanding that was given and the positive changes made to enable my grandchild to be more resilient and to thrive in their everyday life.

I have always been passionate about the wellbeing and growth of every child and started my journey as a Thrive practitioner in 2024, qualifying in January 2025.

I am really enjoying my position and watching the children flourish and grow.

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