In September 2006 at Hovingham Primary School, SEAL was introduced to the whole school. The following are notes and pictures from walking round school just before half term and talking to staff in all year groups.
In Nursery, Miss Plat reported that the children had been working on a topic- “Welcome to school”. The children had worked on booklets, and had also taken home booklets to share with their parents about “Welcome to my new school.” In Reception Mrs Kelsey talked about the “Myself” topic that the children had been doing, and also about work they had done through the Elmer story, which had focused on difference and similarities. Children in Reception and Nursery start the year with a staggered entry, so that staff can insure that children are settled in a few at a time. This meant that there had been less time for the cohort to work together on the theme in this 1^st half of term and they would therefore continue elements on New Beginnings into the 2^nd half too.

In year 1, the children have been using the rules from the PDC and have used the flags in the class. A positive reward system has been established which ensures that all children receive praise. Miss Green said that the classes took part in regular weekly  circle times and that much of the theme had been covered then. The children had also worked in Art / DT on projects with a partner they don’t normally play with and Miss Green said that the children had enjoyed this opportunity and in some cases had continued to play with their new partner after the Art session.
In year 2 the children have established their own classroom rules, based on the titles of the Golden Rules stories. The Golden Rule stories were the focuses of several weeks of Literacy work in 2 red. The children have worked with a friend to make posters for each of the classroom rules, and these are also displayed on their class blog. Miss Fisher has started a blog for 2 Red as a trial to see the impact it has on the children’s learning, at present it is proving to be an excellent tool for motivating the children to write, and celebrating their successes.
Pictures of the children, with their writing about what they hope to achieve in Year 2 are displayed in 2Y. In 2R their pictures are displayed with their writing about what they would like to be when they grow up. The children have also created a Peace tree, with a leaf from every child with their idea for making the class / school a peaceful place. Every child also painted a section of the rainbow, and at the end of the rainbow there is a pot of gold for each class, on to this the children attach their pictures on a golden sun, when they achieve “Happy hour”.
Peace Tree in Year 2. Oct 2006.

In Year 3 the children have started work on negotiated their class rules, and a “Wish tree” is being made for each class.In Year 4 a display celebrates all the different things that the pupils are proud of being able to do well, and emphasises the fact that we are all good at different things. The children have also been working on completing tasks together as a group.

In year 5 the children have made a superb display, which celebrates diversity. All the children wrote about what was important to them, and have been able to share their work, and so they are all now more aware and understanding of the similarities and differences between each of them.
 
In year 6 a group of children made a New Beginning to their school year by visiting Lineham Farm, while the remaining children worked on a topic together. Displays encourage the children to “be the best they can be.”The SEAL posters are displayed throughout school, along with the Ethos statements.