Through this course, participants will learn practical strategies for enhancing well-being in schools, for both students and teachers alike. The concept of well-being will be explored and the field of Positive Psychology, which is the science of well-being, will be outlined. Positive Psychology offers many evidence-based strategies for nurturing resilience and well-being, and participants will be given the opportunity to explore them on a personal level, as well as gaining ideas for applying them to the school setting.

Seligman’s PERMA model (2011) will provide a concrete framework for understanding Positive Psychology. PERMA stands for Positive Emotions, Engagement (Character Strengths), Relationships, Meaning and Achievement. The theory and practical application of the elements of PERMA for enhancing well-being in schools will be discussed. 

The course will also cover a whole-school approach to nurturing well-being, as well as examining ideas for using the SSE process for well-being improvement as outlined by the Well-Being Policy Statement and Framework for Practice (DES, 2018). The Weaving Well-Being programme, which is based on Positive Psychology will also be outlined, and practical  ideas for implementation will be explored.