About Thrive?

Thrive: Where Your Journey to Greatness Begins

Thrive gives its students the opportunity to invest in themselves and allow them to realise their true potential. To succeed is to Thrive! Our person-centred approach means our students are our real ambassadors here. Don’t just take it from us… here’s what they say:

Our Commitment to Learning and Support

Thrive is a provider of both Further Education and Higher Education and Short/CPD courses. Headquartered in Walsall, West Midlands, our reach touches lives much further afield. We have a distinguished heritage of providing quality learning built around accessible and affordable learning for all.

As our recent Ofsted inspection shows, we have well-established and robust systems for ensuring that the academic and pastoral needs of all students are closely monitored and have an excellent track record of bespoke support for our learners. We want all of our students to achieve their fullest potential and we think deeply about how we sequence, plan and deliver our curriculum. To this end, we stretch and challenge our students academically and we embed personal development as a fundamental aspect of how our students learn.

0 %

Would recommend Thrive to a friend

0 %

Are satisfied with Thrive’s teaching

0 %

Are satisfied with Thrive’s support

0 %

Felt their career aims were effectively met

0 %

Felt their English & Maths improved

0 %

Had a positive experience learning with Thrive!

Our Mission

To be a leading force in empowering individuals through accessible, high-quality education that unlocks potential, transforms lives, and inspires lifelong growth—locally and globally.

Our Vision

At Thrive, our mission is to provide person-centred, inclusive education that supports every learner in realising their full potential. Through a commitment to excellence in Further Education, Higher Education, and CPD learning, we create opportunities that are affordable, flexible, and deeply rooted in personal development. We believe success starts with self-investment—and at Thrive, we’re here to guide every step of that journey.

Pastoral Support

At Thrive, we understand that your overall wellbeing is central to you being able to achieve your dreams. Our student support service is equipped to help you manage and resolve any challenges you may be facing such as mental or physical health, cost of living challenges, accommodation problems or more. Whatever they may be we will be able to support you in finding a solution that works for you. If you feel you may need some support, please do not hesitate to contact studentservices@thrive-skilss-ac.uk

Career Guidance

Students usually engage in study with Thrive as part of their long-term professional goals. At Thrive we support our students in making planning and preparing their career futures with bespoke learning plans that reflect their goals. Students have access to experienced professionals through their teaching, but also have the opportunity to gain experience through volunteering. Aligned with the Gatsby Benchmarks, our careers services benefit from support of the National Careers Service and industry professionals.

Safeguarding

Safeguarding is fundamental to all aspects of life at Thrive. We support students in being able to identify potential concerns and how to report them, as well as support and signpost those who may be experiencing a safeguarding issue, such as domestic violence, extremism and radicalisation, FGM and more. If you or someone you know is at risk, you can contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) on safeguarding@thrive-moodle.com. If there is immediate danger, please call the police on 999.

Academic Support

Thrive students have various backgrounds and needs and therefore sometimes benefit from some additional academic support in addition to what happens in their main classes. This includes awareness of referencing, citation and plagiarism, academic language and structuring their work. Students are given individual learning plans, guidance from tutors and access to independent study to further these aims.

Thrive Glossary

Glossary for Your
Learning Journey

Throughout your interactions with Thrive, you may encounter some terminology that is unfamiliar to you. To ensure that everyone is on the same page, here are a few of the key terms that will help you navigate your Thrive experience!

Bleneded Learning

Through its sister-company, SanctuaryCPD, it is also able to offer an exciting and current range of CPD programmes across all core sectors.

Campus

A physical location where Thrive teaching and learning is delivered that is owned and managed by Thrive.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

These are short courses designed to enhance the student’s professional skill set.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

The person responsible for leading on safeguarding issues within Thrive. All concerns raised will ultimately be handled by them. Further information about safeguarding and how to raise a concern can be found here.

Face-to-face

Any course that is delivered in person at a campus or study centre. The student is physically in the same room as their teacher.

Further Education

Any course for people over the age of 16 and up to Level 3. It includes many vocational courses as well as Functional skills in English and Mathematics.

Higher Education

Any course which is at Level 4 or above. It also includes courses that provide access to specific courses at Level 4 or above (e.g. a Foundation or Access course at Level 3 designed to help someone onto a Level 4 course).

Online

Any course where the entire course is delivered remotely through the internet.

Prevent

Part of the government’s Channel process for preventing radicalisation and extremism.

Short Courses

Any courses that are under 3 months in duration. Often these courses will also be CPD courses.

Student Finance

The customer facing part of the government’s system of student financial support. The other part is known as Student Loans.

Student Loans

The part of the government’s system of student financial support that deals with the legal and compliance issues. The other part is known as Student Finance.

Study Centre

A physical location where Thrive delivers the teaching and learning is delivered but the premises are owned by another party. Students at a study centre are still enrolled with and study at Thrive but use the other party’s facilities to do so.

Lifelong Learning

The idea of pursuing additional education and the development of further skills beyond compulsory education. It is generally voluntary and self-motivated based on a pursuit to learn more, gain new skills or support professional development or personal fulfilment and enjoyment.

Local Roots

Thrive & Local History

Thrive values its strong connection to local history, recognising how the past shapes today’s learning journey. By honouring community heritage, we create a meaningful and culturally rich experience for our students.

By
A historic region 1700

By/1700 - Thrive History

The story of Thrive begins in the historic heart of ‘the Black Country’, an area whose abundant resources made it key in the industrial revolution.

Continue reading
By
Ancient Walsall before 1800 1700

By/1700 - Walh halh

Thrive is based in Walsall, a town in England which itself began as a small Anglo-Saxon village. Its name may be derived from "Walh halh," meaning Celt's valley. The town's prosperity was based on local coal, iron ore, and limestone supplies, and it became an important industrial centre by the 17th century, with metal-processing and leatherworking industries.

Continue reading
By
The Old Foundry 1800

By/1800 - Industry Revolution

Thrive is headquartered in The Old Foundry, which, as the name may suggest, was an integral part of the development of industry in the area. The current building is Victorian, but the location has housed a foundry for many years before that, as can be seen from this Foundry from 1800.

Continue reading
Oct
Thrive is Born 2007

Oct/2007 - Thrive Born

Then, in October 2007, Thrive was born. Our beginnings were humble, working alongside other established training providers in the Midlands and Staffordshire offering Care Training and Apprenticeships.

Continue reading
By
Steady Growth 2010

By/2010 - Thrive Quality

Our emphasis on quality, consistency and integrity meant our growth was steady, and by 2010 Thrive was delivering on hundreds of stand-alone diplomas and apprenticeships.

Continue reading
By
ESFA Contract 2015

By/2015 - Thrive ESFA

By 2015 Thrive Skills secured its first direct contract with the ESFA to deliver qualifications to those aged 24+, further realising our person-centred approach and putting learners in charge of their own learning. This expanded to learners aged 19 plus soon after, and Thrive delivered qualifications in IT, Business, Social Care, and Personal Fitness across the Midlands

Continue reading
By
A New Location 2022

By/2022 - Thrive Skills

In 2022 Thrive skills moved to the newly renovated ‘Old Foundry’ on Bath Street in Walsall, where we are to the present day, thus becoming the latest custodian of this important part of Walsall’s, and indeed the world’s, heritage.

Continue reading
By
Our Future 2025 & Beyond 2025

By/2025 - Thrive Future

Now Thrive looks to the future, broadening its portfolio and widening access further into Further and Higher Education, continuing its journey with the ethos of excellence that has enabled us, and those who work and learn with us to not only grow, but THRIVE!

Continue reading

Our Testimonials

What Students Think and Say About Thrive Skills

Empowering businesses with cutting-edge technology, reliable support, and seamless integration.

“Our tutors are always happy to help if you’re unsure with something or you need help with work. If you miss classes they’re always happy to help you catch up with anything you missed out on and make sure you don’t fall behind. Student support are also a great help with any financial wellbeing help or anything you need help with”.

Interactive Learning Constantin
Student

“Thrive has enabled me to enter into education after many years, and has meant that I know have a strong set of skills to build my own business and develop my career. It understood the barriers I faced and helped me find a way to overcome them.”

Interactive Learning Danielle
Student