Jump & Thrive is designed to help young people navigate the often-daunting move from primary to secondary school. With schools facing rising challenges around attendance, exclusions and emotional regulation, Jump & Thrive offers a proactive, trauma informed response that places relationships, safety and consistency at its core. It combines predictable routines, safe spaces, trusted adult support and movement based activities to help students regulate emotions and prepare for learning.
Jump & Thrive was born out of learning from successful programmes delivered by SASP, Jump Start and Happy Healthy Holidays (HHH). Developed through an explore, test & learn approach, the programme builds on what we know works, safe, nurturing environments, trusted adult relationships, sport and physical activity to support regulation and predictable routines that reduce anxiety and chaos.
Jump & Thrive is closely linked to Somerset’s wider strategies, including the system wide sport and physical activity strategy Somerset Moves, and many Council strategies including, Connect Somerset, Education for Life, SEND and Inclusion, Community Safety and the Alternative Provision Strategy. By focusing on early intervention, the programme ensures students receive support before difficulties escalate, helping them feel confident, connected and ready to thrive in school life.
Pilot at Bridgwater College Academy
The programme is currently being piloted at Bridgwater College Academy, where staff commitment to inclusion has embedded Jump & Thrive into the school’s ethos. Working across both primary and secondary phases, the SASP mentor team provides support from day one of Year 7, easing the transition and setting students up for success. It is hoped students will gain daily contact with a trained mentor offering emotional and practical support, strategies to understand and manage emotions, a safe, nurturing environment where they feel valued, confidence building in lessons, friendships and routines and tailored small group or one-to-one sessions.
The programme is also designed to support families too. Parents and carers are also included, receiving regular updates on progress and wellbeing, opportunities to collaborate with mentors, and simple regulation ideas to try at home.
Find more information on our flyers: