For me, one of the most important parts of what makes a ‘big’ education is the way we teach and model the social and emotional skills that are so critical to success and happiness in life. My own leadership as the head at Surrey Square Primary School was epitomised by this focus, through the development of a set of values as the underpinning of a culture, curriculum and pedagogy. It is an aspect of school life that can, all too often, feel squeezed and under-valued; something that is undoubtedly the ‘glue’ that holds things together, but too often invisible.

Putting this front and centre of our work at Surrey Square, equally balanced with our high expectations of academic learning (personal AND academic excellence; everyone, every day). It was a big statement to make – especially back over 10 years ago. It remains a profound articulation of our intent and commitment to teaching, supporting and nurturing every child to develop as fully rounded young people. As a part of Big Education, we call this the ‘heart’, as a part of the head/heart/hand model.

As such, I was delighted to see the publication of the EEF guidance on SEL (Social and Emotional Learning), along with an audit tool for schools to use. I had the opportunity to be part of the expert panel developing this guidance and the tool, which was hugely valuable in my professional learning. I have been disappointed in the past at the narrow focus on literacy and numeracy adopted by the EEF, and so was naturally delighted to support them in this endeavour. Having this guidance, with the confidence and reputation of EEF behind it, is an important milestone. I very much hope that this will give school leaders the legitimacy and tools to embrace many practices which are often instinctive, but under-developed or resourced.