‘Happiness lessons’ are under threat from a new hardline approach - The Times
We say ...
Newspapers seemed delighted at the suggestion of a backlash against namby-pamby “happiness lessons”. Schools were now more interested in making pupils tougher, or “mentally resilient”.
However, promoting resilience is not new. Schools in Manchester, for example, have been teaching it since 2006, when 25 teachers flew to America to be trained by the renowned psychologist Martin Seligman.
As Jenny Andrews, Manchester’s assistant chief education officer, said at the time: “Research shows resilience to setbacks can actually be learned, and it can be a huge benefit for children in later life.”
But how were these resilience classes described by outraged British newspapers at the time? Yes - “happiness lessons”.
Anthony Seldon, page 28.
