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