.jpg?v=d7f1b62159b21f52fe14df30fdc0f34b)
School-based mental health programmes 'can deliver benefits'
A new psychological programme designed for schoolchildren has been shown to effectively deliver mental health benefits.
Conducted from 2010 to 2011 in a secondary girls-only state school in east London, the study - published in the medical journal PLOS One - aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the SPARK Resilience Programme, an initiative designed to enhance pupils' resilience and ability to recover after setbacks, while also preventing depression.
It is based on established methods of cognitive behavioural therapy and concepts from the field of positive psychology, and offers students with tools to identify stressful situations, evaluate their automatic responses and learn to control negative behavioural reactions.
Specifically, participants are taught to recognise common negative thought patterns that can lead to misconceptions or selective interpretations of adverse situations, and how to consider alternative modes of thinking. The programme also introduces children to skills such as assertiveness and problem-solving, and helps them identify their strengths, social support networks and sources of positive emotions.
Almost 400 girls participated in the research, with the results showing that the programme helped to significantly increase their self-reported resilience, while depression symptoms also decreased.
Study leader Dr Michael Pluess at Queen Mary University of London's school of biological and chemical sciences, said: "This research shows that it is possible to promote psychological wellbeing in middle childhood through an integrated school-based intervention programme informed by concepts of positive psychology and cognitive behavioural therapy.
"Rather than focusing on preventing psychological problems in a few students, this programme aims at strengthening the psychological resilience of all children."
However, it was also noted that depression symptoms returned to their pre-intervention levels 12 months after the programme was concluded, suggesting that children may need refresher sessions after a certain amount of time.
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Towcester
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
SEN Tutor – Towcester Primary or Secondary) | £25–£30 per hourAre you a passionate and experienced SEN tutor looking to make a real difference?We are seeking a dedicated SEN Tutor to work with student
Reference
KG16/09Tutor-Tow
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Daventry
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Inspire the Next Generation as a Tutor in Daventry & Surrounding AreasAre you passionate about Maths and English and eager to make a real impact in young people’s lives?Teaching Personnel is seeking d
Reference
KG16/09-Tutor-NN11
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£150 - 220 per day
Location free text
Harrogate
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Harrogate
Description
Secondary Supply Teachers Wanted – Harrogate – September 2025 Start Position: Secondary Supply Teachers Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire Start Date: September 2025 Salary: £140 – £225 per day (d
Reference
Supply Tch HG ES
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Salary
Market related
Location free text
Daventry
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Teacher
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Class Supply Teachers - Daventry We are working alongside a few fantastic primary schools in Daventry who are looking for supply teachers to work with them on a temporary and part time basis.They are
Reference
NORRE54
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Northants & Counties PrimaryAuthor
Northants & Counties PrimarySalary
£120 - 160 per day
Location free text
Bury
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
KS1 - Year 1
Location
Greater Manchester
Description
Position: Key Stage 1 Teacher (Qualified Teacher Status Required) Location: Bury, Greater Manchester Contract Type: Supply (Full or Part-Time) Salary: £120–£160 per day (dependent on experience) Start
Reference
BURKS1
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North PrimaryAuthor
Manchester North PrimarySalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Nottingham
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Nottingham
Description
Shape Futures: Become a Maths Tutor in Nottingham!Do you have a passion for making numbers click and problem-solving exciting for young people?TP Tutors, a leading tutoring agency dedicated to providi
Reference
TWNG4Maths16/9/25
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Bilsthorpe
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Maths
Location
Nottinghamshire
Description
Maths Teachers Wanted – Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire Flexible Hours | £25–£30 per Hour | 1:1 and Small-Group TuitionTP Tutors is looking for talented and enthusiastic Maths Teachers to provide tailore
Reference
JSNG22Math16/09/25
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Bilsthorpe
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
English
Location
Nottinghamshire
Description
Maths Teachers – Bilsthorpe, Nottinghamshire Flexible tutoring opportunities | £25–£30 per hour | 1:1 and small groupsTP Tutors is recruiting skilled and enthusiastic Maths Teachers to provide target
Reference
JSNG22Eng16/09/25
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£20 - 25 per hour
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Sheffield
Description
Looking to come out of the Classroom and teach 1:1?Why TP Tutors?As we enter the spring term, it’s the perfect time to make an impact on secondary students’ education. At TP Tutors, we’re passionate a
Reference
10SFSheffEng16/09
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North TuitionAuthor
North TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Alnwick
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northumberland
Description
GCSE English & Maths Tutor – Make a Real Impact in Alnwick with TPTutors!Are you a fully qualified teacher passionate about helping students achieve success in GCSE English and Maths? Do you want to w
Reference
EWTUALN25
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
North East TuitionAuthor
North East TuitionRelated posts
.jpg)
Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Walking into a teaching interview can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced teachers. The secret? Preparation. Knowing what to expect, understanding the school, and thinking through your answer

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Pay is always a big topic for teachers and school leaders, and with good reason. It affects career choices, retention, and how schools plan. With a 4% rise confirmed for the next academic term, 20

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
The start of a new academic year brings a mix of excitement and challenge. New timetables and faces are balanced with the realities of staffing, planning, and ensuring the school settles quickly i

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Schools are under pressure. Behaviour issues are rising, pupil needs are more complex, and staff are stretched. In 2024, 18.4% of children in England were reported to have some form of special edu

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
Today’s classroom is a busy, complex, and emotionally charged environment. Educators need to teach, support, manage behaviour, and connect with learners who may be carrying far more than their sch

Teaser
Education NewsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
The future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) support in the UK is undergoing significant focus and reform. It’s a complicated landscape as the government considers tightening th

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD07YY
Summary
In December 2024, the government announced new specialist places in mainstream schools to better support pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Yet, staff shortages limit s

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
Recent statistics highlight gaps in SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) training and support for educators. The government wants more SEND pupils in mainstream schools. At the same t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
In 2024, the National Audit Office (NAO) highlighted the crisis in the SEND system, noting limited progress in making mainstream schools more inclusive. Without further investment and changes, t

Teaser
Tips & AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD06YY
Summary
How to navigate SEND funding for 2025-26 As government funding for special education needs and disabilities (SEND) evolves, schools face critical challenges securing essential resources. Sch
Register with us
for a choice of classroom roles
Register today
Recent job