What is one of the most under-used ways to help pupils do well at school and beyond?
One of the issues often raised by teachers is that the constant pressures of an ever-changing curriculum and target-driven education system generate stress rather than success for all involved.
This teaching-by-numbers approach is not generally why most teachers entered the education system. It is also worrying that around three pupils per class are likely to suffer from a diagnosable mental health disorder (Source: Youngminds.org.uk).
Often it is the simplest interventions that can increase the emotional well-being of a young person (or any person, for that matter), but they need the guidance and support to know what steps to take. Schools are ideally placed to provide that support and guidance and already work very hard at helping those pupils that need it the most.
With an increasing amount of research findings demonstrating that happiness is a key contributor to success, increased problem-solving abilities and increased health, it is important for schools to include happiness-enhancing activities into their provision to pupils.
Curriculum and time restrictions mean that teachers are already over-stretched, though, and there is only so much they can do.
This is where bringing in external resources can help. An inspirational speaker provides much more than entertainment for the time they are speaking to or working with pupils. A good inspirational speaker will be a catalyst for improvement and change.
This is where I can help, whether you need me to come in and address your pupils in an assembly, work with them in smaller groups in a practical workshop setting, on an individual basis to coach/mentor them or a combination of the above.
The feedback I have had from schools and other organisations I have worked with has been fantastic (read testimonials here).
The best testimonials, however, come from the pupils themselves. Here is a short video taken during a Happiness Masterclass, which followed a Happiness Assembly to the full Year 12 group at The Hayfield School in Doncaster: http://youtu.be/y6i8rqitwyo
Did you know that giving to charity can make you happier and that this effect is increased if there is a social connection involved?
Source: Science Daily “Social giving makes us happier”
I am currently raising funds for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity by taking part in Funny Business Doncaster: I will be stepping out of my comfort zone by doing 5 minutes of stand-up comedy on 6th November.
Although I have already exceeded my £1,000 fundraising target for this project, I would like to raise even more for Weston Park, so I am offering a discount off my standard fee and a donation of a chunk of my fee to Weston Park for any bookings for which I receive a 50% deposit by the end of November.
Would you like to find out more? Click here to get in touch with me or call me on 0114 360 5556.
Frederika Roberts