How I Can Help Your School

As a frequent speaker at headteacher conferences, I would be delighted to visit your school to contribute to classroom teaching, PSHE, an inset day or prize-giving, by offering lectures and workshops individually tailored for pupils, staff and parents.

At Cambridge University, I have for seven years lectured a course in 'Applying the skills of well-being' (encompassing social, emotional, intellectual and physical 'good-health'). Dr Anthony Seldon kindly invited me to introduce the subject to Wellington College, to help promote a 'happier school', and since then I have spoken at a dozen schools including Bromsgrove Prep, Bancroft's Prep, and Shrewsbury School. This year, I am already booked to visit Millfield Prep and Eastbourne College.

My presentations encourage our exploration of what everyday principles, strategies, skills and experiences might serve as a catalyst to profoundly healthy, highly adventurous and good-hearted lives. How can we best overcome fears, deal with setbacks, prevent depression, develop friendships, and prepare for exams? I endeavour to convey practical suggestions with gentle humour and vivid illustrations from the Arts and Sciences, all supported by the inspiring example of much admired individuals.

My latest book, The Rough Guide to Happiness : practical steps for all-round well-being, is published by Rough Guides & Penguin Books this April. It is an accessible overview of themes first considered in my weekly column in The Times (2003-2005), and has been written with classroom debates and teachers and parents very much in mind.

The following page details what I can offer your school, and my experience in doing so. Thank you for reading. I do hope you'll email or call to discuss the possibilities of my visiting.

Dr. Nick Baylis PhD (Cantab) FRSA

Bring Well-being into Your School, for pupils, staff and parents

Commission Nick to visit your school for a special focus on PSHE, or for an inset day, prize-giving, or evening for parents.

On such a day, Nick can deliver one or all of the following:

• An Insight Lecture and/or a Practical Workshop tailor-made for the whole staffroom. Nick can suggest ways of dealing with stress, preventing depression and nurturing joie-de-vivre; and these simple but powerful principles work just as well for busy teachers as for bustling pupils.
• Some age-appropriate activities for one or more year groups (perhaps as part of their PSHE); and inspiring guidance on exam-preparation.
• By special arrangement, a presentation to parents (perhaps in the early evening) to encourage their support of your well-being initiatives both at school and at home.
• Nick can also work round-table with your SMT.

Some of Nick's most popular themes include:

Practising 'emotional alchemy' : rather than anaesthetising our painful emotions such as fear, anger, loneliness, embarrassment and regret (with too much TV, food and the like) let's learn to harness and ride our emotional energy so it carries us forward.

Overcoming our everyday shyness and most inhibiting fears : through studying inspiring role-models, combining 'imaginative rehearsal' with gentle breathing and relaxation, and knowing when to ask for help.

Fostering a healthy relationship between our mind, body and social relationships : the vital role of adequate sleep, exercise, and a colourful variety of social activities.

What it takes to get really good at something : almost all of us can get exceptionally good at anything we're passionate about, but it takes know-how : hours of highly realistic and very determined practice (not just going through the motions); daring to make mistakes; and a spirit of exploration.

Such an injection of practical ideas and techniques helps foster healthy debate about how the principles of well-being can be incorporated into the whole school ethos, adding extra dimensions to curriculum coursework, guiding the contribution of parents, and helping teachers and pupils take better care of themselves and each other in both their personal and working lives.

Nick's recent relevant experience in the school arena, includes his role as :

• BSA Deputy-Heads' annual conference opening speaker, Warwick, January 2009.
• BSA Matrons' Annual conference, Summer 2008.
• Speaker at IAPS 'Fresh Eyes' Liverpool conference, for 300 Headteachers, Sept. 2008.
• Speaker at the annual Joint Association Junior Heads' conference, Stratford Upon Avon, Spring 2008.
• Guest Speaker at HMC Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Annual Conference 2007.
• Nick's interviews via www.YoungLivesUK.com among some of the most outstanding individuals of their generation, led to his weekly column in The Times as 'Dr FeelGood on The Science of Happiness'.

Nick's Key Themes

Click here to read more about Nick's Key Themes

Nick's Potted Biog

Dr Nick Baylis has lectured in 'the skills of well-being' at Cambridge University for seven years. An experienced therapist, he has worked with everyone from imprisoned young offenders to stressed airline captains, and has written 100 columns for The Times as Dr FeelGood. Penguin has now published his Rough Guide to Happiness : practical steps for all-round well-being. Nick is invited to give insight lectures and training days to the leading educational, health and business institutions the world over.

Earning his PhD in developmental psychology from Cambridge University in 1999, Nick created www.YoungLivesUK.com and spent a year interviewing some of the most accomplished individuals of their generation in many walks of life, from students of dance, art and music through to Nick Hornby, Gary Lineker, Kate Adie and the Commander of the Special Air Service, General Sir Peter de la Billiere. The fundamental question was this : 'How do you achieve your goals in life, and how do you enjoy the journey?'. Nick's book Learning from Wonderful Lives reflects this research.

Nick went on to become Britain's first lecturer in Positive Psychology & The Science of Well-being, launching his course at Cambridge University in 2001 and co-organising The Royal Society's three-day international conference on The Science of Well-being in 2003. Since these beginnings, his explorations have endeavoured to be far broader, embracing the arts and philosophies, therapies and physical activities that when woven together can help a life to thrive and flourish.