Evaluating a programme to develop social and emotional skills in primary school students

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Description/Abstract

The Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme is a strand of the UK Government’s National Strategy for primary schools in England and Wales (students aged 4-11). The aim of the programme is to develop an appropriate range of affective skills that should support learning within the social context of the classroom and school.
Through collaboration with local authority staff and primary school teachers, we are currently gathering a mix of quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate and inform the implementation of the SEAL programme in the district's schools.

This paper focuses on the use of confirmatory factor analysis to develop a survey instrument for self-assessment of social and emotional skills. Analysis of the resulting survey data is providing teachers with information to assist with both planning and implementation of the SEAL programme, as well as evaluating its impact. Insights gleaned from parental and teacher assessments of students’ social and emotional skills will also be considered, particularly for those students identified as causing concern in this area, and who have the potential to benefit from small group and family level interventions.