...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