About SEEN and the Pilot Project
In 2021, the SEEN Curriculum materials were developed and trialled by the University of Oxford’s Department of Psychiatry. More than 3,700 students took part across 29 schools. 100% of teachers and 91% of pupils felt the SEEN curriculum should be taught to other students of the same age.
Case Studies
Outwood Grange Academies Trust
Outwood Grange Academies Trust was (OGAT) was the first large Multi-Academy Trust to introduce the SEEN programme universally. We spoke with Sir Martyn Oliver (Chief Executive) and Nim Sheriff (Director of Science) to understand how they implemented the lessons into their Year 9 Science curriculum.
"We want all of our children to be happy, healthy and safe and we know that the first days, weeks, and years of a child's life has a long-lasting impact on their long-term well-being. Therefore, it was obvious to us that we must teach all children in our trust the vital importance of early brain development so that they can become responsible parents of the future themselves. Our trust-wide science directors have rolled this programme out across all of our 28 secondary schools through our key stage 3 science curriculum.”
Sir Martyn Oliver, former CEO of OGAT and HMCI OFSTED
Nower Hill High School
Following the launch of the Shaping Us campaign, HRH the Princess of Wales visited Nower Hill High School and observed a SEEN lesson with year 8 students in practice.
"We feel the content is very important for young people to learn about and have embedded the lessons into our year 8 curriculum provision. We have developed booklets for use by students in class and these also help teachers to deliver the programme without much additional work."
Head of Key Stage Three science Liza Dimitriades, Nower Hill High School
"Excellent student engagement and fantastic discussion topics to stretch and challenge students' ability to make the connection between scientific aspects of the brain and their daily lives."
Feedback from teacher delivering SEEN lessons