Designing new PATHS in Birmingham

The Unit is helping a group of senior policy-makers and practitioners to prepare for the implementation of a new social and emotional learning programme in Birmingham primary schools from September 2009.

Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies (PATHS) was developed by Mark Greenberg and colleagues at the Prevention Research Center, Penn State University, US. Children between the ages of four and six in 30 primary schools will receive the programme as part of a pilot study.
 
The results will be evaluated using a randomised controlled trial design. The service design group will adapt the programme for a UK context and plan training and technical assistance. Group members include headteachers and representatives of the city's educational psychology and health education services.