Linking London Debi Hayes – 10 th May 2016 Character Education: GSM’s Strength Based Approach

Agenda 1.Who are we? 2.Strengths 3.GSM’s Strengths Based Approach 4.Exploration of co-operative working 5.GSM Support 6.Next Steps

Education Approaches Deficit Approach  Study what is wrong with people  Assumes people need to be fixed – by improving their weaknesses Strengths Based Approach  Study what is right with people  Assumes people have unique natural Talents – effort leads to near perfect performance.

GSM’s Strengths Based Approach Strengths in a nutshell : A strengths approach assumes that people already have within them a group of talents and that these are the key to reaching high levels of personal achievement

BENEFIT OF STRENGTHS BASED APPROACH in Education Improved sense of belonging and fit Increased academic self-efficacy Engagement with one’s campus community …..leading to improved retention, choices, grades, degrees, employability, lifelong learning

College wide culture change in partnership with Gallup, the world leader in Strengths based education STRENGTHS AT GSM

Delivery of Approach 4 Gallup trained Strengths GSM Strengths Coaches train all staff Initially Strengths assessments and workshops delivered to new foundation students and level 4 students Students receive Strength assessments and training through Personal Tutor workshops and 1-1’s Impacts design of inclusive curriculum; L&T; employability; student advisory; staff /student relationships

Example approach of PT sessions Induction Week All Students undertake strengths assessments - identification of top five strengths Week 1 Naming Strengths – what are your top 5? one hour group tutorial Week 2Claiming Strengths – what do they mean about you? one hour group tutorial Week 3Aiming Strengths – how will they improve academic success one hour group tutorial Week Individual or small group tutorials 1 Hour

Potential for co-operative working

Here’s an idea….. This could be useful as an outreach tool for level 3 learners prior to completing their personal statements. Used by student ambassadors when they go out into schools and colleges

The Strengths based approach could be applied to any group/team of people, staff students and potential students who would benefit from a positive personal focus for the future. Here’s another idea…

4 gallup accredited Strengths coaches Gallup training material Gallup Strengthsquest assessments 3 hour – Introduction to your Strengths and how to apply them to your studies/job/life (includes the Strengths assessment) GSM Support

Next Steps