Achieving Balance Through Positive Psychology and Physical Well-being

“Positive Psychology takes you through the countryside of pleasure and gratification, up into the high country of strength and virtue, and finally to the peaks of lasting fulfilment: meaning and purpose”. Seligman, 2002

Our Year 11s have been working on Balance in ALP this year – our tailor-made courses to encourage well-being through Positive Psychology. They may have joined our book club, tried yoga, cooked their way to a healthy mind and body or signed up to the Alleyn’s Apprentice. Some made a short film, started learning Arabic or engaged in mindfulness. Others chose to learn CAD, try Dutch, improve their Excel, fold modular origami or even investigate conflict resolution.

All our wonderful Year 11s spent time on taking ownership of their physical well-being through exercise and all undertook a critical thinking course on Rosling’s Factfulness to apply their informed and critical minds to solve the challenges we face to remain within our planetary boundaries through the Alleyn’s Earthshot Prize.

It has been a whirlwind of wonder and self-reflection. We have invested deeply in the habits which bring about happiness and from there we watch to see our students flourish as they travel toward their GCSEs.

Today, psychologist Bradley Busch from the mindset coaching company InnerDrive helped our Year 11s focus their revision strategies to get the most from their preparation time, reminding pupils to get plenty of sleep and to take care of their physical health. With that, the session opened up to an unexpected sound of music as  The Ceilidh Tree band appeared from behind the curtain in the Old Gym. The band got everyone on their feet and dancing, filling the room with movement and laughter - the perfect way to release stress.