How Can Positive Psychology Transform Wellbeing in Secondary Schools?
From Psychology in the Classroom by Lucinda Powell
April 21, 2026 · 39 min · Season 14 · Episode 19
About this episode
Hannah Brownhill discusses how positive psychology can enhance wellbeing in secondary schools, sharing insights from her research and practical strategies for teachers.
...with Hannah Brownhill To kick off the summer term, Hannah Brownhill, a positive psychology practitioner and former secondary teacher shares her insights into embedding wellbeing in to schools through positive psychology. Following her Churchill Fellowship research in Australia, Hannah shares how schools can move beyond "wellbeing as an add-on" to create a culture of genuine flourishing. This episode explores the PERMA framework, the power of character strengths, and the systemic shifts needed in UK education. Hannah also offers practical, classroom-ready strategies for teachers, alongside honest reflections on the systemic challenges facing UK schools and encouragement to start small, prioritising your own wellbeing first. Key Discussion Points The Australian Model: Insights from schools successfully embedding positive education into their DNA. The PERMA Framework: Breaking down the five pillars of wellbeing: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment. Strengths-Based Teaching: How shifting our language from deficits to strengths transforms classroom dynamics. Staff First: Why teacher wellbeing is the essential foundation for student flourishing…
People in this episode
Host: Lucinda Powell
Guest: Hannah Brownhill
Topics covered
- positive psychology
- wellbeing in schools
- PERMA framework
- character strengths
- teacher wellbeing
- systemic challenges in education
Keywords
- positive psychology
- wellbeing
- PERMA framework
- character strengths
- teacher wellbeing
- education
- UK schools
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Churchill Fellowship, University of Pennsylvania, VIA Institute on Character
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