Secondary SEAL: Introduction

What is SEAL?

Secondary Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) is a comprehensive approach to promoting the social and emotional skills that underpin effective learning, positive behaviour, regular attendance, staff effectiveness and the emotional health and well-being of all who learn and work in schools. It proposes that the skills will be most effectively developed by pupils and staff through:

• using a whole-school approach to create the climate and conditions that implicitly promote the skills and allow these to be practised and consolidated
• direct and focused learning opportunities (during tutor time, across the curriculum, in focus groups and outside formal lessons)
• using learning and teaching approaches that support pupils to learn social and emotional skills and consolidate those already learnt
• continuing professional development for the whole staff of a school.

The Secondary SEAL materials reflect the learning from the schools and local authorities involved in the Secondary SEAL pilot (2004–06), and the particular approaches they have found successful.

What is the SEAL guidance booklet and who is it for?

The Secondary SEAL guidance booklet provides an overview of SEAL and how it links to a wide range of initiatives and educational developments. The guidance booklet is written for all those who are involved with, or who have an interest in, Secondary SEAL, and will be essential reading for all school leaders, including those leading on the programme. It might also be used by those from Children's Services and other external agencies who are involved in supporting work in school.