SEAL at TEIGN

SEAL GROUP created Behaviour for Learning groups set up. Staff group included governor and support staff. Student group included students chosen due to their challenging behaviour! Launched in September with staff and students. Displayed in all classrooms. Seal introduced to staff. Seal group formed as part of the Change Team Meetings –a cross section of staff.

Survey All staff given a confidential questionnaire on the learning, social and physical climate. All support staff were also given an opportunity to fill in the questionnaire. The Seal group analysed the results.

Feedback SLT and Seal group picked out the main points:- POSITIVE Empathy in social climate Managing feelings- for pupils Pupils working cooperatively

NEGATIVE Managing feelings – for staff Decision making – being listened to (middle managers) Motivation – clear expectations (support staff) Language built into learning Staffroom Stimulating and exciting environment

INSET – MIKE BEARD ‘Understanding and Enabling Emotional Health’ Focus was on staff – stress and well being, coping with change.

Presentation Evaluations ‘Provided lots to think about – many situations arise in which it could be useful’ ‘I think I took more from it personally, which I guess will be passed on.’ ‘I really enjoyed it and feel as though it addressed problems faced in the school at the moment’

‘It has made me think quite carefully about a particular class and what I might do to improve the working environment’ ‘Fantastic! Helped me to stop and think of myself and how I act and ways I can pass this on to my students’ ‘Totally relevant to my role as a human being, teacher, mother, wife, etc.’ ‘One of the best and informative presentations ever attended in school. Relevant to every area’

Feedback form questionnaire given to all staff All staff were given a summary of the questionnaire results. A form was available to enable all staff to give anonymous comments and suggestions for action. A box was left in the staffroom for a week The Seal group opened the box!

A list of possible actions was put together - taken from staff suggestions. Discussed at SLT. Seal group plan to use a ‘triangle’ exercise to prioritise suggested actions. Exercise to be carried out in tutor group meetings and led by Seal group members. Booklet produced for all staff describing in detail the 5 aspects of SEAL.

SEAL SURVEY (Top action 6 points, next 5 points, 3rd row 4 points) Teaching staff Staff feeling valued – Staff recognition (35) Motivation – clear expectations (31) Motivation – low level disruption (24) Decision making – being listened to – staff forum (18) Feel included – as if you belong – socials (17) Feel included – as if you belong – teamwork (17) Feel included – as if you belong – staff fun activities (16) Stimulating and exciting environment –support to improve classrooms and corridors (9) Staffroom – larger space – (8)

Support staff Staff feeling valued – Staff recognition (56) Feel included – as if you belong – teamwork (48) Motivation – clear expectations (47) Decision making – being listened to – staff forum (40) Motivation – low level disruption (22) Managing feelings – Another session with Mike Beard (13) Feel included – as if you belong – socials (12) Feel included – as if you belong – staff fun activities (10) Staffroom – larger space (8) Managing feelings – counselling for staff (8) Language – skills needed to use language (8)

Results of survey – what would help you feel valued and recognised? Inset -Team building, stress relief, shopping day, staff panto, Socials Meetings – more productive(decision making), less - especially when parent’s evening. Dealing with difficult students quickly. Consistent approach. Ban mobile phones. SLT/department links stronger – look for opportunities to show appreciation Culture of appreciation generally – told you are doing a good job just for teaching. Letters Practical arrangements to supporting evening meetings and duties. Show respect for professional integrity/ability. Trust staff with time and space.

Continued……… Explore internal motivational strategies Staff lunch/drop in Birthday fund Time to action s Place to calm down Recording student behaviour on SIMs Suggestion box for anonymous issues

Action to be taken due to Seal profile Plan for staff socials Staff – open SLT to discuss sensitive issues Weekly support staff meetings. Language developing Culture of appreciation – raise profile Discussion about new staffroom. Meetings – work on effectiveness Coaching Staff lunches – plan for future Low level disruption – see separate page

Prioritising – low level disruption Calling out/ chatter across room/talking when teacher talking/not listening – 18 Lack of equipment/being prepared -11 Arguing back/ challenging authority(Saying why?) – 11 (2goups did not score as they said it was high level disruption) Mobile phones/ipods -10 Lateness -3 Uniform issues at the start -3 Swearing -3 Chewing gum – 1 Suggestions – revisit the role of year 8 receptionists

Solution focused SLT meeting. What do we do well? Confident support Revision support Confident students Outdoor Pursuits Well motivated students do well Sense of community Inclusion Stable budget Good relationships with parents Cyclical maintenance Staff support each other Results Effective events Student focussed staff Experienced staff Developing the whole child Relationships between pupils and staff Good networking Safe environment

What is our preferred future? Sense of shared purpose Better behaviour More empathy from students to others and to staff More appreciation Better staffroom Better children space Time to reflect More engaging learning activities More parental involvement Emotional Literacy (dealing, coping, understanding) Better value added

How will we know we have achieved this? Better results Decrease in behaviour incidents Reduced detentions Less conflict Less absenteeism More staff engagement in extra activities Fewer parental complaints Less internal exclusion More honest conversations Cleaner site – less damage Questionnaires Image of the school in the community Great consistency Better staff space Meetings more effective Increased Post-16 uptake?

Behaviour Management INSET - led by Chris Humphries. To recognise the issues raised. To develop a consistent approach. To introduce the use of a common language around rights and responsibilities. To develop a list of positive and negative consequences. To develop listening skills (departmental approach

INSET ……… continued Handouts Examples of listening activities. Behaviour for Learning – suggestions (Voyager) ‘How to model SEAL as a subject teacher.’ Questions to focus staff reflection of their practice. Follow up Individual staff observation of lessons. Survey of effective strategies (in staff briefing). Focus on questions as above. LODs meeting – discuss how they support staff in their department. What works? Where can staff go if they are having behaviour difficulties in their lessons?

COACHING for SLT and Middle Managers (multi-agency) To support SLT and middle managers in their role in school To focus on work life balance and emotional well being To support the prioritising of work load To experience a solution focused approach

COACHING with SEAL focus in Maths department ‘ Identify what is already happening in school to enhance social and emotional skill development’ through:- Observation and questions - SEAL/ relationships Teaching and Learning Organisation Pupil management Staff development points School/ dept development points

DEVELOPMENT POINTS Maths department discussed the development issues and decided to focus on a few. Eg Use of questionning. Teamwork strategies Active Listening skills Student feedback

Other Actions – 2007/2008 Assemblies on Emotional Literacy. High profile anti-bullying week. Cross year group teamwork exercise. Social Enterprise launched. Enterprise has a high profile – Investor in Work Related and Enterprise Learning Award. Healthy School week to include SEAL.

Day of Difference –Barbican Theatre Joint council meeting with local feeder primary school. Seal on agenda of TVAC meeting. Transition project – using theatre group –CHANGE Student council involvement

Parents Staff trained to take parenting classes. Parenting classes started. Parental awareness raised through newsletters and parents evenings.

Staff INSET – June 2008 Part of KS3 reform – based round SEAL 1. Self reflection exercises 2. Seal across the school 3. Seal through subjects 4. How can Seal support individual students with difficulties? 5. Lesson observation – good practice. (led by SEAL group members)

The Future SEAL for Pupils 2008/2009 PSHE Year 7 tutorial to be based round SEAL themes Family homework? Year 7 tutor and year leader Activities in morning sessions. Assemblies.

Whole School 2008/2009 DISPLAYS Key words and posters to be around school. Welcome sign in reception in different languages. Individual welcome to known visitors. (Aspects for buildings? Eg Empathy for J block?) Each half term one week in the calendar devoted to an aspect. Autumn first half term – Self awareness Autumn second half term – Empathy (to coincide with anti- bullying week) Spring first half term – Managing feelings Spring second half term – Motivation Summer first half term – Social skills

‘Developing an emotionally Literate School.’ Conference – Jan 5 th Key note speaker – Katherine Weare Workshops Emotionally Literacy Family Seal Primary School’s approach Solution focused approach (Invite to local secondary and primary schools)