Results of the Pilot
DEAL was developed through a series of
distinct phases from 2004 to 2006:
Mapping and
consultation: Existing emotional health resources for
schools and youth groups were collected from key organisations in
the health and education sectors to identify gaps in provision.
The planning phased involved
consultation with 65 experts from 35 different voluntary, public
and private sector organisations including ChildLine, Connexions,
and healthy schools coordinators. For example, a joint lesson on
bullying was developed with ChildLine, English lessons with the
Poetry Society and Lapidus and Citizenship lessons with
Connexions.
Consultation with young
people: 1000 young people were surveyed online or in focus
groups about their views on emotional health. Together with
outcomes of the development groups this was used to target the
development of the teaching materials.
2-phase Pilot: A small scale
pilot was held in 2004/5 followed by a larger one in 2005/6. 1700
students and over 50 staff took part in 10 schools in
Cambridgeshire, East Ayrshire, Gloucestershire, Gwent, Kent and the
West Midlands.
The pilot was evaluated by
comparing learning pre and post doing the programme. Students
filled in the BarOn EQ-i:Youth Version (Short) to assess their
emotional literacy skills and a Samaritans questionnaire to measure
knowledge and attitude.
- During two years of
piloting in eleven schools, students reported feeling more
confident dealing with emotionally difficult situations and being
more self aware in their behaviour towards others.
- Teachers reported feeling more confident in dealing with
emotional health, both delivering it as a subject and in dealing
with students outside the classroom. They also felt more aware of
their own emotional health as a result.
- A statistically significant impact on students’ ability to cope
with stress and confidence in responding to someone in distress was
also shown.
DVD
development: The DEAL DVD was developed following
completion of the pilot. The anti-stigma section of the DVD was
supported by SHIFT, the anti-stigma lead for the National Institute
of Mental Health in England, and in partnership with the HELP
programme, Young Scot and the Consortium for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
and Transgender Young People.
Launch:
DEAL was launched in the media on the 24th October 2006.
Coverage included TV, Radio, Newspaper and websites including on
BBC News 24, The Times Educational Supplement, Irish Times, The
Metro, The Glasgow Evening Times and The Sun newspapers, reaching
over 23 million readers, viewers and listeners.
More information
National
Curriculum links