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 and the results were impressive.
1. Proven to increase knowledge
Pupils showed a clear increase in their understanding of early brain development, with learning still evident 6–8 weeks later.
2. Turns science into practical understanding
After the course, nearly half of pupils could give detailed or advanced explanations of how to support a young child’s brain development, compared with around one in ten beforehand.
3. 91% of pupils would recommend that others learn it
Nine in ten pupils thought young people their age in other schools should be taught the course.
4. 100% teacher endorsement
Every teacher surveyed believed early childhood brain development should be taught in school.
5. Designed to work in real classrooms
Teachers described the ready-made lessons as easy to incorporate into existing curriculum plans, with many intending to continue teaching them.
In effect the course was not just teaching young people the science of early development, but also how to use it in real life.
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."
Teacher delivering SEEN lessons, Nower Hill High School
Discover Little Sparks, Big Starts for....
Schools
Free curriculum-led resources to educate 7-14 year olds about early brain development and the power of nurturing and positive relationships.
Health Visiting teams
Free training for professionals talking with families about early brain development and new parent hub.
Early Years Educators
A free qualification in early neurodevelopment for nursery staff, childminders and other early years professionals.
Parents
Free, accessible leaflets about early neurodevelopment and the critical role that parents play in giving their child the best start in life.