Being Cool in School

Being Cool in School is a ten unit, mainstream programme focusing on key personal social skills relevant to pro-social behaviour, good citizenship, emotional literacy, mental health and well being. The programme is located within the 5-14 curricular guidelines for Health and Personal, Social Development. Each unit has explicit targets and an achievement certificate is offered on successful completion. The programme takes an approach to behaviour development that is based upon strucutured and progressive learning. A distinctive feature is its direct use of the actual situations and behavioural responses that commonly are experienced by particular age groups of children; it's relevance is perceived by pupils to be very high and it is extremely engaging as a consequence.

Being Cool in School aims to develop pupils' skills in managing their responses in school. Through a combination of discussion, reflection and role play, each child learns a range of skills and strategies to help manage themselves positively. This programme;

• Is pro-active, pro-social and positive
• Encourages respectful behaviour
• Allows children to develop appropriate skills and attitudes
• Create a working partnership between pupils, parents and staff

The aims of the pack resonate with the principles driving the report of the Discipline Task Group - Better Behaviour - Better Learning, and National Priorities 2 (framework for learning), 4 (Values & Citizenship), and 5 (Learning for Life).

Being Cool in School was created by a principal teacher in Fife called Kate Whiteley. Fife Council have assisted with the development of the programme and have piloted it within their authority. The initiative began as a pack for the upper primary school stages to assist with their transition to secondary school. It has since grown with an infant primary pack and a secondary pack (S2/3) being created. There are also plans to create a similar pack for the middle stages (P4/5) of primary school. The P4/5 and S2/3 pack should be available by August 2007. This would then mean that when all of the packs are established, a pupil would experience the Being Cool in School programme every 2-3 years during their education. This will help to strengthen the children's knowledge of the skills and attitudes learned through the programme, skills which are required to help them thrive within the school community and through in to their adult lives.

Infant Primary Pack - Pilot

East Lothian Council has been selected for the national pilot of the infant primary pack. Six schools have been chosen and they are currently promoting the pack to their staff and parents.

Watch this space for up-dates on the progress of the pilot!!!