How Can Positive Psychology Transform Wellbeing in Secondary Schools?

...with Hannah Brownhill

To kick off the summer term, Hannah Brownhill, a positive psychology practitioner and former secondary teacher shares her insights into embedding wellbeing in to schools through positive psychology.

Following her Churchill Fellowship research in Australia, Hannah shares how schools can move beyond "wellbeing as an add-on" to create a culture of genuine flourishing. This episode explores the PERMA framework, the power of character strengths, and the systemic shifts needed in UK education. Hannah also offers practical, classroom-ready strategies for teachers, alongside honest reflections on the systemic challenges facing UK schools and encouragement to start small, prioritising your own wellbeing first.

Key Discussion Points

• The Australian Model: Insights from schools successfully embedding positive education into their DNA.

• The PERMA Framework: Breaking down the five pillars of wellbeing: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.

• Strengths-Based Teaching: How shifting our language from deficits to strengths transforms classroom dynamics.

• Staff First: Why teacher wellbeing is the essential foundation for student flourishing.

Resources

• The PERMA Framework: https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/perma-theory-well-being-and-perma-workshops

• Character Strengths Guide: https://www.viacharacter.org/character-strengths-and-virtues

• Churchill Fellowship Research: https://www.churchillfellowship.org/ideas-experts/fellows-directory/hannah-brownhill/

• Hannah Brownhill Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-brownhill-53a78919a/

Bullet point summary:

• Transition from secondary school teaching to positive psychology practice
• Definition and principles of positive psychology
• Application of positive psychology in education through positive education
• Overview of the PERMA framework (Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment)
• Importance of embedding wellbeing into the school culture rather than as an add-on
• Challenges and strategies for implementing positive education in secondary schools
• The concept of wellbeing literacy and its role in creating coherence among staff
• Use of character strengths in the classroom and their impact on student interactions
• Quick wins for teachers to incorporate positive education in their practice
• Measuring the impact of positive education initiatives and the complexities involved in assessing wellbeing