SEAL awareness raising session Governor’s Conference Bridge Academy Sunday 22nd November 2009 Safuriat Yesufu: Snr Teaching and Learning consultant SEAL, Behaviour and Attendance

By the end of the session, you will have… a clearer understanding of what secondary SEAL is and its relationship with other work in schools experienced some of the approaches in implementing SEAL in in secondary schools explored some of the benefits and the challenges of implementation of SEAL Explored your individual role as a governor in the implementation of SEAL

Your leader? What would make Mr Spock an effective leader? What skills and qualities may need developing? Would you wish Mr Spock to be your leader? Why?

“ALL LEARNING HAS AN EMOTIONAL BASE” PLATO

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF LEARNING Goleman’s five aspects (1996): Self-awareness Managing Feelings Empathy Motivation Social Skills

So, what is SEAL? Secondary SEAL is a comprehensive approach to promoting the social and emotional skills that underpin effective learning, positive behaviour, regular attendance and the emotional health and well-being of all who work and learn in schools. (Secondary Core Guidance)

What the research tell us: Improved academic results More effective learning Higher motivation Better behaviour Higher attendance Lower stress and anxiety Higher morale More positive school ethos

How will SEAL work? It proposes that the skills will be most effectively developed by pupils and enhance the skills of staff through: Using a whole school approach to create the climate and conditions that promote these skills Direct and focused learning opportunities Using that support pupils to learn and learning and teaching approaches consolidate Continuing professional development for the whole staff of a school

Implementation: a whole school approach Vision and commitment by leadership and management Knowing what is already going well and building on it: audits/ learning walks/ listening and observing/ effective use of data.. Strategic vision and purpose/ operational plans and models Commitment to B&A/ Healthy Schools etc Attention to staff developmental needs Involving all stakeholders Measured approach

Mini activity You are members of the SLT (and Governor) and have read the introduction to SEAL and seen a PowerPoint Presentation. You have reservations. What are they and will they be allayed?

Lack of clarity can lead to… Ad hoc implementation of SEAL A mistaken belief it is a programme only for pupils with behavioural difficulties A belief it is ‘soft’ behaviour management More staff stress as they think they are being socially engineered More staff stress as they think it is something else they have to find time to do An emphasis on a cosmetic approach The introduction of activities randomly for small groups of pupils

Next Steps and Review One thing you need to know more about One thing you will do What needs to happen now?

Contact Information Safuriat Yesufu Senior Teaching and Learning Consultant SEAL, Behaviour and Attendance The Learning Trust Hackney London E8 1GQ