Part One
Introduction
Chapter 1 – The Aims of the Survival Skills Programme
The aims of the programme, identification of target groups and links to other national programmes and initiatives are explored in Chapter 1.
Chapter 2 – Supporting Transition; Good Practice
Chapter 2 offers advice and guidance for setting up whole-school systems and procedures at transition as well as suggestions for classroom strategies to support interaction and communication.
Chapter 3 – Identification and Monitoring Pupil Progress
In this chapter the implementation of the programme is outlined and the ways it can be managed within a school setting are discussed.
Chapter 4 – The Survival Skills Programme; PowerPoint Presentation
Chapter 4 contains a PowerPoint presentation complete with facilitator notes which can be used for staff development opportunities.
Part Two: The Survival Skills Programme
Introductory Session
This session looks at introducing the programme to the individual pupil or group; outlining what they will be working on and how it is aimed to help them. It offers an opportunity to look at setting group rules around confidentiality, building trust and valuing each other as well as offering them a chance to discuss how they feel about their new school and to set themselves targets that they would like to achieve by the end of the programme.
Module 1 – Friendship
Module 1 looks at what friendship means to your pupils, making new friends, maintaining friendships and what to do when things go wrong. It also explores differing relationships with both peers and adults in the school.
Module 2 – Organisational Skills
This module touches upon the skills needed to get to and from school. This includes ensuring that the right equipment is brought into school at the right time and managing and coordinating the paperwork and resources for each subject. It covers the skills needed to ensure that homework is understood, completed and handed in successfully. In this module there is the option to work on memory and study skills, dealing with tests and exams, moving around the school and understanding who each staff member is.
Module 3 – Dealing with Feelings
The focus of Module 3 is identifying and understanding emotions. The sessions look at helping pupils to talk about their own emotions as well as developing a sense of empathy for others. It offers suggestions for repairing and rebuilding relationships by helping them to understand and practise social skills.
Module 4 – Problem Solving
Module 4 looks at problem solving, focusing on conflict with teachers and conflict with other pupils. The lessons focus on practical ways to encourage pupils to become assertive in their relationships, to give them the courage to learn how to say ‘no’ when they are uncomfortable about a situation and to offer strategies for developing an ‘I can do’ attitude for problem solving which can be transferred to their lives outside of school.
Module 5 – Moving Forward
The final module looks at encouraging the pupil to reflect on the progress they have made and how they can continue to move forward. It also offers suggestions and strategies to ask for help when they need it.
Conclusion
The concluding session helps the pupils to reflect upon the skills they have learned, identify plans for the future and celebrate their achievements.
