How Circles for Learning Works

Circles for Learning is an exciting programme that brings a parent and young child into the classroom, giving pupils a unique opportunity to observe relationships developing, see learning unfold and explore how emotions influence thinking and behaviour.

Circles for Learning was developed by Alison Waterhouse after her baby observation sessions at the Tavistock Institute and her training on the Effective Llifelong Learning Inventory (ELLI) with Bristol University.

This powerful programme introduces a parent and young child to a class or small group of KS1-KS3 cxhildren and young people, once a month for a year. These amazing observation sessions then act as the stimulus to follow-up activities and lessons where children can explore the five key areas that form the foundations to positive mental health and wellbeing.

How Circles for Learning works

What children learn

Benefits for children

Benefits for schools

What's included & costs

How Circles for Learning Works

Circles for Learning trains and supports teachers to bring a parent and their young child into the classroom once a month for a year.

With the guidance and support of their teacher, the young people explore and think about what they have seen and how this links to their own development, learning, thinking, behaviour and ways of interacting with others. These visits are the stimulus to follow-up work led by the teacher exploring the foundations for positive mental health and wellbeing.

What Children Learn

With their teacher’s support, the young people observe, explore and discuss the interactions, being played out in front of them. They get to watch how a baby responds to a loving adult and how important this relationship is in enabling them to be curious and explore. 

They see how they behave when frightened and overwhelmed, how they learn to manage and how they become frustrated when they aren’t able to manage a task or activity. It builds an understanding of the driving force of emotions in behaviour, who they are and how they can interact with the world.

Benefits for Children

Emotional Competencies

‍Talking about how things make them feel and how to manage those feelings.

Social Competencies

The skills and knowledge to develop positive relationships and manage conflict.

Greater Self-awareness

How they motivate and regulate themselves, the self-talk they use when faced with challenges, and the strategies they draw on to solve problems and move forward.

Recognising Others' Needs

‍The ability to recognise the needs of others and thinking about ways to support them.

Learning Strategies

A greater ability to talk about their learning and to develop strategies to managelearning when it doesn’t go well or when they become stuck.

Emotional Awareness & Regulation

How their emotions drive behaviour and how it may affect others, and strategies to manage when things don’t go as planned or they feel overwhelmed.

Benefits for Schools

Staff Development

Online training courses to develop knowledge, confidence and skills to run the project and develop a classroom environment that supports the foundations of positive mental health and wellbeing.

Specific Training

Courses that respond to staff’s current knowledge and the unique needs of the school.

Coaching

Eachpractitioner is supported by an experienced coach who has delivered the Circlesfor Learning programme.

Mental Health & Wellbeing

The opportunity to develop a proactive approach to supporting children's and young people’s mental health and wellbeing.

Robust Strategies

Creating safe opportunities for children and young people to talk, share their experiences and develop the skills to navigate difficulties, building positive foundations for mental health and wellbeing.

Proven Difference

Make a real difference to social skills, empathy, resilience, emotional literacy, self-awareness, behaviour, self-regulation and the ability to develop positive relationships.

What's Included & Costs

Circles for Learning is where research meets the reality of the classroom. Grounded in scientific evidence, neuroscience and therapeutic ways of working with children, and developed through research in real schools, the programme translates what we know about relationships, emotional development, behaviour and learning into meaningful everyday practice. It equips children and young people with the understanding and skills that build strong foundations for positive mental health and emotional wellbeing — not just for school, but for life.

To ensure success in each school, our experienced coaches support each practitioner throughout their first year. You can also use our network of Independent Practitioners to deliver the programme without needing to train staff.

The programme consists of three main parts:

Online training

Ourfull day's training covers the five key areas that form the foundations forpositive mental health and wellbeing and how to get the most out of theobservation sessions, set up the program and run it successfully in schools.

Resources and lesson plans

Createdas five easy to use books to support teachers develop follow-up activities and lessons.

Supportive coaching sessions

Receive coaching from our experienced teachers who have successfully delivered both observation sessions and follow-up lessons in schools.

Cost of full day of online training: £TBC

Effectiveness in Primary Schools

Evaluation of primary school programmes showed significant improvements in pupils’ emotional and social development, alongside positive impacts on classroom relationships and learning behaviours. Teachers reported stronger relationships, richer emotional and learning conversations and children who were more able to persevere, problem solve and support one another.

Effectiveness in Secondary Schools

In secondary schools, the results of evaluation were equally profound, with Circles for Learning strengthening pupils’ emotional relational and learning skills across a range of educational settings. Teachers also reported stronger relationships, improved classroom dynamics and pupils with a more positive sense of self.