After a successful pilot, which included a number of Catholic schools, the Government has launched the Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL) programme across England.
Catholic schools will be doing much of this work already as an intrinsic part of their mission; many of the principles are enunciated in the 'All That I Am' programme, for instance (www.all-that-i-am.co.uk).
All Catholic schools by virtue of their mission should foster the dignity of life and be communities founded on the belief that:
* Every human life has an intrinsic and absolute value through being created by God and in the image of God.
* This value derives from the simple fact of existing and is not dependent on an individual's age, abilities, social acceptability or any other characteristic.
* Self-respect and respect for each other must underlie all human relationships.