+3 Months On SEL Hides A +5 vs +2 Split By Phase

"SEL doesn't touch my subject" is the secondary-teacher assumption this episode tests — and finds backwards. Plus three months on average hides a real split: roughly plus five at secondary, plus two at primary. A pastoral lead and a sceptical secondary teacher autopsy what the evidence actually says, structure and all.

Sources:

• EEF Teaching & Learning Toolkit — Social and Emotional Learning: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/social-and-emotional-learning

• Printable one-pager for this episode: theeducationcommute.co.uk

What's covered:

• The Number: +3 months average, with the honest phase split (secondary ~+5, primary ~+2)

• Evidence base of 119 studies, moderate security — weaker than the physical activity strand, stated plainly

• The structure that actually works: sessions up to 45 minutes, twice a week, not a termly assembly

• The equity note, framed honestly as descriptive, not a promise of gap-closure

• Try it today: run one tutorial/form time as a genuine structured SEL session this week

Actions for consideration:

• Run one tutorial or form time as a genuinely structured SEL session this week, not a general chat.

• Quote the real phase split (primary ~+2 months, secondary ~+5) rather than the flat +3 average when discussing this with colleagues.

• Don't claim SEL closes disadvantage gaps — the equity note is descriptive, not a guarantee.

• Check sessions run up to 45 minutes, twice a week, rather than as a termly assembly slot.

Disclosure: Both voices on this show are synthesised (NotebookLM, Google); the research, reading and editorial judgement are done by a serving practitioner.

Strand: Teachers