Hampton School - Wellbeing and Resilience

Wellbeing & Resilience Course

Hampton School, Hanworth Road, Hampton, Middlesex TW12 3HD Tel: 020 8979 9273 Email: info@hamptonschool.org.uk Twitter: @HamptonSchool www.hamptonschool.org.uk

Hampton School

Wellbeing & Resilience Course There is a growing recognition of the need to explore ways of teaching resilience to help young people navigate the ups and downs of life.

At Hampton we believe the wellbeing of children is a priority not just for parents but for educators too. We offer outstanding pastoral care and our Wellbeing & Resilience Course is an integral part of this.

The course explores many of the themes identified by psychologists as contributing to a greater sense of wellbeing and resilience. Designed and written by Hampton’s Head of Mindfulness & Wellbeing, Mark Nicholson, the Wellbeing & Resilience course is delivered in two stages: the key foundations are laid in the First Year (Year 7) and all Fourth Year (Year 10) pupils follow the seven-week course alongside the Mindfulness in Schools Project’s .b course.

What is Wellbeing & Resilience?

Philosophers and scientists agree that, whether we know it or not, all of us share the desire to maximise our sense of wellbeing and happiness. This course is based on the science of happiness – on how we can improve our sense of wellbeing and, hopefully, turn towards things that make us more content. Resilience is often defined as ‘bounce-back-ability’ – coping with life’s rockier moments with courage and equanimity. Wellbeing is positive self-appraisal, such as feeling optimistic, confident, loved, and/or energetic.

What does the Wellbeing & Resilience Course include?

A number of key areas are explored and discussed in class. Homework encourages pupils to actively practice what they have learnt between lessons.

Happiness Setting Future Goals

Optimistic Outlook

Role Models

Wellbeing & Resilience Course Living Well

Signature Strengths

Gratitude & Altruism

Lesson themes include: 1. Happiness • What is happiness?

• What might contribute towards our sense of happiness and what might detract from it?

2. Setting Future Goals • “If you know the why, you can live any how.” Nietzsche 3.

• • •

Signature Strengths What are strengths?

What are your strengths?

How can you incorporate these strengths into your everyday life?

4.

• • • • • •

Gratitude & Altruism The benefits of gratitude Practising gratitude Keeping a Gratitude Journal What is altruism?

The impact of altruism Performing ‘random acts of kindness’

5. Sleep & Exercise • Sleeping better • Healthy living 6. Optimistic Outlook/Mindsets • Beneficial and unhelpful self-talk • Understanding the nature of beliefs that surround difficulties and challenging them 7. Role Models • The benefits and pitfalls of having role models • Who do we look up to?

What our boys think about this course?

At the end of the seven-week course boys are invited to offer their feedback on the Wellbeing & Resilience Course. The following are just some of their comments:

“It really helped; we are at a stage in our lives when things can get stressful, whether that is from social pressures or academic demands. It is helpful to be able to keep an optimistic outlook.”

“The Practising Gratitude lesson made me feel grateful in a very positive way and actually made me happier even till the next day.”

“This course really helped me get an in-depth analysis of myself.”

“Helped me to realise how much I take for granted.”