How do we learn social and emotional
skills and what works in teaching them?
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
An explicit curriculum with learning outcomes
reinforced within a positive environment
• A year group theme
each term
• Staff development – all
tutors deliver
• Year group assembly to
launch the theme
• Curriculum – teaching
and learning activities in
each year group – spiral
curriculum to achieve
specific learning
outcomes
• Cross-curricular and
whole school
reinforcement
• Celebration of the
application of SEAL skills
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
A little bit of
neuroscience!
If you are wearing a watch,
take it off and place it on
the other wrist…..
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
How do we learn social,
emotional and behavioural
skills?
Read Handout 2.1, then discuss your
understanding in pairs or around your
tables.
Note down any questions that arise and ask
when the group comes together.
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
• I learn that when someone is in
my way I hit them. This is
successful in getting them to
move out of my way.
• The next time someone is in my
way I repeat the behaviour. I
continue to repeat the behaviour.
• Someone tells me that it is wrong
to hit someone to make them get
out the way. They teach me a
new strategy – to ask them to
move out of the way.
• I continue to use my previous
behaviour, unless I am reminded
and supported in using the new
behaviour.
• With support, I begin to use the
new behaviour more..
• Gradually the new behaviour
becomes my ‘default’ response,
and the old behaviour dies away.
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
Now what about that
watch?
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
The 20/80 rule
What does the
research say? SEAL
must be taught
(20%) ….
Direct and focused
learning
opportunities to
develop knowledge,
understanding and
skills
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
OHT 2.4
..and caught (80%)
 A whole school approach
to creating a positive
emotional environment in
which children feel safe to
try out new ways of
thinking/behaving.
 Adult modelling and
scaffolding
 SEAL skills reinforced
across the curriculum;
 Whole school
reinforcement e.g. Posters/
Certificates/ Teacher focus
 Staff development and
well-being
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
Examples of whole-school SEAL: Reinforcement
across the school day
Explicit SEAL curriculum: working
together
• Assembly on ‘group-working’
(football theme)
• All curriculum areas are
reinforcing ‘group-working
skills’ and using ‘Working
together checklist’
• Y7 Camp – focus on teambuilding
• After-school clubs given
learning outcomes and asked
to reinforce…
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
Examples of whole-school SEAL: Reinforcement
across the school day
• Practice in real life
situations across the
school day
• Adults who model and
coach the skills of SEL
• Reward – all adults
noticing and celebrating
the skills we want to see
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2
Noticing and celebrating
Secondary SEAL awarness PPT 2