Social and emotional aspects of learning (SEAL) programme in secondary schools : national evaluation

Abstract

SEAL is "a comprehensive, whole-school approach to promoting the social and emotional skills that underpin effective learning, positive behaviour, regular attendance, staff effectiveness and the emotional health and wellbeing of all who learn and work in schools" (DCSF, 2007, p.4).National Strategies report that it is currently being implemented in around 90% of primary schools and 70% of secondary schools.The aims of this national evaluation of secondary SEAL were to (a) assess the impact of secondary SEAL on a variety of outcomes for pupils, staff and schools, and (b) examine how schools implemented SEAL, with particular reference to the adoption of a whole-school approach. Research DesignOur research combined quantitative and qualitative inquiry.The former was utilised mainly to provide data pertaining to the impact of secondary SEAL, and the latter was used primarily to provide insights into the implementation process.For the quantitative component, 22 SEAL schools and a matched group of 19 comparison schools were recruited to take part in a quasi-experimental study.Pupils in Year 7 at the beginning of the academic year 2007/8 (N = 8, 630) were the target cohort.Key outcome data (e.g.pupils' social and emotional skills, mental health difficulties, pro-social behaviour and behaviour problems) was collected from the target cohort via self-report surveys on an annual basis: at the beginning of 2008 (Time 1 -baseline), at the beginning of 2009 (Time 2 -interim.NB: this wave of quantitative data collection was only used to inform our unpublished interim reporting) and finally at the beginning of 2010 (Time 3 -post-test).