The importance of embedding social and emotional development in primary schools

For many children, school is the only place where any deficiencies in these abilities can be addressed. SEL is especially important for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and other vulnerable groups, who, on average, have weaker SEL skills at all ages than their ‘better-off’ peers.¹

The COVID pandemic exacerbated the worrying trend of children struggling with their mental health and behavioural needs. Research showed that mental illness rose substantially from one in nine to one in six children² during the pandemic and as CYPMHS were serving less than half of children with a mental illness before the pandemic this needs to be a priority. School closures led not only to learning loss but meant children missed out on in-person interactions and support from peers, teachers, and other education professionals.

Developing children’s social and emotional skills within educational settings, alongside their academic skills is therefore critical.

To effectively embed social and emotional learning in schools, integrate it into the curriculum and school culture using a whole school approach – integrating academic, social, and emotional learning throughout all aspects of the school environment, providing professional development for staff, and actively engaging with pupils, staff and families.

“Learning doesn’t happen until students feel safe, and their social and emotional needs are met.”³

Eight principles to promoting a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing

Recommendations and practical approaches to ensure that SEL is integrated into all aspects of primary school life

Adapted from the Education Endowment Foundation

Teach SEL skills explicitly

  • Use a range of strategies to actively teach SEL skills; self-awareness, self-regulation, social skills, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

  • Implement SEL in both dedicated time and everyday teaching adopting a whole-school integrated relational practice and approach.

  • Support whole class SEL teaching with targeted small group intervention.

Integrate and model SEL skills through everyday interactions

  • School staff should model the social and emotional behaviours and reinforce them through relational and attachment aware practice.

  • Recognise and encourage children’s achievements through specific and focused praise.

  • Ensure containment, boundaries and emotional safety through ground-rules in classrooms and small group intervention.

  • Incorporate SEL across all subjects – literacy, history, drama, and PE provide good opportunities to link in SEL.

Carefully plan for and adopt a SEL programme

  • Adopt an evidence-based programme grounded in research shown to produce positive pupil outcomes.

  • Adopt a SEL programme that provides an explicit curriculum of scheduled sessions, resources and structured framework.

  • Regularly assess progress and intentionally cultivate a supportive climate.

Use a SAFE curriculum

  • Ensure the curriculum is SAFE (Sequential, Active, Focused, and Explicit) ensuring SEL is taught in a way that is impactful and helps pupils integrate the skills into their lives.

  • Blend teacher-led activities with active learning like role-play, discussion and targeted small group work to help children practice the SEL skills in real-life contexts.

  • Prioritise regular, instructional sessions as they allow for consistent practice and reinforcement of the skills over time.

Reinforce SEL skills throughout your whole school

  • Develop and build a culture based on relational practice and emotional safety.

  • Establish schoolwide norms, expectations, routines, and policies that promote SEL.

  • Align your school’s behaviour, anti-bullying, safeguarding and SEND policies with SEL.

  • Actively listen to staff and the children’s voices for ideas on how the school environment and practice can be improved.

  • Actively engage parents, carers and families in reinforcing SEL skills.

Plan, support, and monitor SEL implementation

  • Establish a shared vision for schoolwide SEL, define key priorities, align them with core values and other school goals, and ensure consistent language around SEL.

  • Provide comprehensive training and support for all staff to build SEL knowledge.

  • Prioritise high-quality implementation as staff readiness and enthusiasm are linked to better outcomes.

  • Monitor progress and evaluate impact of your approaches.

¹ Improving Social and Emotional Learning in Primary Schools https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/guidance-reports/primary-sel
² NHS Digital. Mental health of children and young people in England, 2020: Wave 1 follow-up to the 2017 survey. https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/mental-health-of-children-and-young-people-in-england/2020-wave-1-follow-up
³ Tennant et al., 2015; Kurtz et al., 2019