27 February 2008

Groundbreaking education programme goes county-wide

Pupils, parents and school staff throughout Gwynedd are now benefiting from a pioneering educational programme to promote positive behaviour and to develop school children’s social skills.

The groundbreaking “Incredible Years” programme has reached an important milestone in Gwynedd, with the scheme now being offered to all Gwynedd primary schools.

Gwynedd was amongst the very first Councils in the UK to introduce the pioneering scheme based on Professor Carolyn Webster Stratton’s “Incredible Years” programme. The scheme makes the most of a range of creative ways of developing good behaviour and improving children’s social skills. This includes training teachers to use role play in the classroom to encourage children to express their views and to work together.

Councillor Dyfed Edwards, Gwynedd Council Schools Portfolio Leader said:

“Gwynedd Council is committed to ensuring that our children and young people receive the best possible start in life.

“Introducing the ‘Incredible Years’ programme is key to this commitment, and I am delighted that Gwynedd is leading the way on this important agenda, and that the hard work of staff and parents is paying off.”

At Ysgol Bro Lleu in Penygroes, the response from the children, parents and staff has been excellent, as Headteacher Stella Gruffydd explained.

“As a school, we feel that it’s important to have a positive ethos which develops the pupils’ self respect and encourages them to work together. The Incredible Years programme promotes a good working partnership between the parents and the school to ensure the best for the children,” said Stella Gruffydd.

“At Bro Lleu, we have taken this development a step further by training three staff members and one parent to become accredited trainers on the Incredible Years Parenting Programme. By promoting good behaviour on a regular basis, both in the school and at home, we are giving the children the best possible environment in which to flourish.

“With over 30% of our parents already having attended the parenting course, we are seeing a real difference. This extra dimension to an already strong home - school partnership is proving to be a huge success and we look forward to building upon this in the future.” 

Local parent, Judith Humphreys, who attended a parent training course and has since become a trainer herself would encourage every parent to go on the courses which are available.

“The course was very inspiring, and gave parents a wonderful opportunity to learn from one another, as well as from experts, as we shared experiences and ideas.” she said.

Photos:

Ysgol Bro Lleu teacher, Donna Sherret with pupils Elliw and Erin, and puppet Wali

Gwynedd Council uses the following series of ‘Incredible Years’ programmes:

Classroom Management Programme
The teacher’s programme includes teaching positive interaction strategies with children (especially children behaviour difficulties), including:
• Building positive relationships with children
• Setting clear limits and effective classroom structures
• Importance of teacher encouragement and praise
• Motivating children through praise, encouragement and incentives
• Reducing inappropriate behaviour

Dina Curriculum in the Classroom
This programme is aimed at KS1 pupils – children between 5 and 7, and includes:
• Class rules – why we need rules and the consequences of breaking those rules
• Succeeding at school
• Understanding feelings
• Problem solving
• Controlling anger
• Speaking with friends and being working within a team

Programme for parents
The aim is to promote understanding between the school and the home on the ‘Incredible Years’ principles. The programme includes:
• 1 session, 2 hours a week for 12 weeks
• Watching a series of videos showing examples of effective parenting practices, with group discussions to follow.