Whole-school programmes

This section provides links to whole-school approaches which either have good quality or promising records in achieving positive changes in social and emotional skills and/or reductions in risks affecting children’s mental health.

Most are paid for programmes. All have been (or are being) tested in the UK and Ireland. Please get in touch with the programme provider for current costings.

Each programme has been allocated a rating for the quality of evidence that supports it, from 1 to 3+. You can find out more on our understanding the evidence page.

Find out more about social and emotional skills.

 

Roots of Empathy

Age

3-12+ years

Description

An evidence-based classroom program that has shown significant effect in reducing levels of aggression among schoolchildren by raising social/emotional competence and increasing empathy.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Empathy
  • Peer relations
  • Reduced behavioural problems
  • Reduced aggression

Quality of Evidence

Jigsaw

Age

3-11 years

Description

Bringing together PSHE education, emotional literacy, social skills and spiritual development, Jigsaw provides a comprehensive scheme of learning for Foundation Stage to Year 6.  It includes well-structured, progressive lesson plans and teaching resources.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

Quality of Evidence

Fun FRIENDS

Age

4-7 years

Description

The programme uses by using fun, play-based group activities to teach skills that will nurture a child’s development and resilience, giving them the ability to excel and smoothly transition into school life.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Social and emotional skills
  • Reduced behavioural problems

Quality of Evidence

PATHS®

Age

4-11 years

Description

An evidence-based social and emotional learning programme which promotes the positive mental health and emotional well-being of children in primary schools.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Social and emotional skills
  • Emotional knowledge
  • Coping skills
  • Peer relations
  • Reduced behavioural problems

Quality of Evidence

Incredible Years: Classroom Management Programme

Age

4-8 years

Description

The programme aims to improve teacher competencies in supporting children in the classroom, and developing children’s social, emotional and problem-solving skills. Incredible Years group leaders work with teachers to develop specific skills including proactive teacher strategies around behaviour management.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Social and emotional skills
  • Self-control
  • Emotional disorders/symptoms
  • Reduced behavioural problems
  • Focus
  • Pro-social behaviour

Quality of Evidence

Good Behaviour Game

Age

4-9 years

Description

A classroom management approach shown to have dramatic benefits on behaviour, including improved attainment and achievement, increased numbers of students continuing into further education, and reduced risk-taking behaviour in later life.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Self-esteem
  • Emotional disorders/symptoms
  • Reduced suicide risk
  • Reduced behavioural problems

Quality of Evidence

Zippy's Friends

Age

5-8 years

Description

A school-based programme that uses stories, role play, drawing and discussion activities to  teach children how to cope with everyday difficulties, to identify and talk about their feelings, to explore ways of dealing with them and support others.  

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Social and emotional skills
  • Emotional knowledge
  • Coping skills
  • Peer relations
  • Emotional disorders/symptoms
  • Reduced behavioural problems
  • Hyperactivity
  • Bullying

Quality of Evidence

Olweus Bullying Prevention Programme

Age

5-11 years

Description

Aims to reduce the frequency of bullying in schools by restructuring the school environment at the individual, classroom and school-wide level to discourage bullying behaviour.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Reduced behavioural problems
  • Reduced bullying
  • Student satisfaction

Quality of Evidence

Cues-Ed Programme

Age

7-10 years

Description

A universal early intervention CBT programme for primary school children designed to promote wellbeing, resilience, and a non-stigmatising approach to mental distress.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Increased coping strategies
  • Increased knowledge of social and emotional skills
  • Reduced emotional symptoms
  • Improvements in behaviour
  • Improvements in concentration

Quality of Evidence

FRIENDS for Life

Age

7-11 years

Description

A social skills and resilience building program proven to reduce anxiety and provide participants with the tools necessary to cope in stressful and challenging situations. FRIENDS for Life also improves participants’ ability to focus, confidence, and the capacity to regulate emotions.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Social and emotional skills
  • Self-esteem
  • Emotional disorders/symptoms
  • Anxiety reduction

Quality of Evidence

Mindfulness in Schools Project Paws b Programme

Age

7-11 years

Description

A leading classroom-based mindfulness curriculum which helps children explore simple mindfulness practices, learn about 4 key areas of the brain that relate to mindfulness, and begin to assimilate these practices into their daily lives.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Social and emotional skills
  • Emotional knowledge

Quality of Evidence

Step-by-step Guide to Circle Time

Age

Lower KS2 / Upper KS2

Description

A step-by-step guide for planning and leading Circle Time meetings that give children experience and training in a wide range of cognitive and practical skills that will enable them to achieve satisfying, motivated and successful lives.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Emotional knowledge
  • Self-esteem
  • Peer relations

Quality of Evidence

How to Thrive

Age

Lower KS2 / Upper KS2

Description

Students are taught skills and coping strategies that contribute towards a number of critical resilience competencies, such as emotional intelligence, self-efficacy, flexible and accurate thinking and connecting and reaching out. They also learn techniques for positive social behaviour, including assertiveness and negotiation.

This is a paid for programme. Please contact the provider for current costings. 

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Proven improvements

  • Emotional disorders/symptoms
  • Reduced anxiety
  • Reduced depression

Quality of Evidence

MindUP™

Age

4-13 years

Description

An education program that supports the social and emotional development of children. Designed in collaboration with neuroscientists, educators, psychologists and researchers, MindUP™ is an evidence-based curriculum and teaching framework for 4 to 13 year olds.

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Proven improvements

  • Help children self-regulate and understand their own emotions, moods and behaviours
  • Reduce stress and anxiety
  • Sharpen concentration
  • Increase empathy
  • Improve academic performance

Quality of Evidence

 

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