After learning from Katherine Jennick about the importance of strengths-based approaches, AP’s Principal EP Dr David Lamb literally WOWWed the attendees talking about a whole class strengths based approach called Working on What Works (WOWW).
David kicked off his presentation by sharing his WOWW journey and how his love of solution focused approaches, positive psychology and working closely with SENCOs to meet the needs of children and teaching staff at the whole class level led to him researching and then implementing the WOWW approach across many schools in the Humber region and beyond.
"David and his WOWW - I already know who I would like to do that with and I can't wait to get started. Positive vibes and comments, building positive relationships, leading to positive outcomes - what's not to love?!"
Attendees were provided with a step-by-step guide on how to implement WOWW with David highlighting how in doing so, it promotes inclusive practice, pupil and teacher well-being and builds connection at the peer-to-peer level as well as between children and adults. It was lovely to have some attendees who have already engaged with WOWW in their respective schools share their positive experiences and to discuss ways in which the approach could be used in different contexts. The use of ‘reflection questions’ and ‘sparkle moments’ as part of the WOWW process to support children to take ownership over their learning behaviours and to notice positives in each other was particularly powerful!
And applying psychology at the whole class level is really, REALLY important because as David pointed out with some maths, children will spend approximately 478,800 minutes with the same group of peers over the course of their primary education. Now…I don’t know about you, but if I had to spend half a million minutes with the same group of people, I would want to get on with them!
So, what does the start of your WOWW journey look like? We cannot wait to hear from SEND leaders who start WOWW-ing classrooms across the region in the coming months!
If you'd like to know more about WoWW training or interventions for your school or setting, email us at info@appliedpsychologies.com and here is a blog we wrote on WoWW a few years ago.
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