Alister Smith explains what research tells us about happiness, how to use the findings to improve your school, and suggests simple steps to enhance the well-being of students and staff. The book begins by looking at what is happening to young people today both in and outside school. The reader is then asked to consider what type of footprint they would like to leave behind them and is encouraged to find their core purpose. With this in mind, the book looks at how happiness involves our heads, hearts and health and how the reader can increase their happiness on a personal level by building on their strengths, broadening what they have learned by using it in different situations and balancing their lives. The same principles are then applied to creating a culture of happiness within the classroom and on a whole school level. The book covers: what research tells us about happiness, how to use the findings to improve your school, and simple steps to enhance the well-being of students and staff. It gives tools for learning how to: enhance the enjoyment of learning in your school, create a positive 'can do' culture, and audit the 'happiness quotient' in classrooms. Combining theory and guidance with practical exercises and tips that readers can immediately implement, this user-friendly and practical book will include cartoons, quotes, 'key points' boxes, and a question to start each chapter that is answered at the end of each one. Readers can either read from start to finish or dip in, as they prefer.

The authors explain what the research tells us about happiness, and how to use these findings to improve whole school morale.

About the Author
Alistair Smith is the UK's leading trainer in modern learning methods and his techniques are used with startling success by thousands of teachers and parents in the UK and abroad. Alistair is the author of a multitude of books. He works part-time at the Centre for Educational Leadership at Manchester University delivering a range of programmes and teaches on the Master's Course at Liverpool University specialising on the leadership of change. Joanna Kurlbaum taught in three secondary schools and is a governor at an infant school in Gloucestershire. She is a regular contributor to both the Teaching Expertise and Alite websites. She has had articles published in Optimus Publishing's Curriculum Briefing magazine and in the Teach Primary! magazine.

Reviews
'You would expect something exceptional from these three practitioners and the book doesn't disappoint. You won't be able to put it down. It will make you smile, and more importantly, it will make your school smile too and increase the likelihood of countless pupils having happier and more fulfilled lives. Buy this for your staff library and read it yourself during the school holiday. If you do I guarantee you'll enjoy next term better and your school will be a happier place. And when you read this, you'll be convinced there could be no more worthwhile goal than this.' Tim Brighouse, Commissioner for London Schools and visiting Professor at the Institute of Education at London University, UK
"A brave and timely book. Brave because it enters territory that historically we have tended to avoid... Timely because more than ever before there is a growing consensus that happiness and well-being are the issues that educators and all those concerned with children's services should be focussing on. This book models its message - it is affirmative, optimistic and focused on change and growth." John West-Burnham, writer, teacher and consultant in education leadership, and Professor of Educational Leadership at St Mary's University College, Twickenham, UK
'The H Factor is a seriously important book; it is so well researched, so current and the perfect antidote for the climate we see so often envelop us and the children we work with. It was Barack Obama who resurrected that powerful four letter word; HOPE. Alistair, John and Joanna have skilfully provided us with a route to ensure that our schools and most importantly our children can do more than hope for happier times!' Richard Gerver
'This book offers a range of realistic suggestions which will support the reader as they work to achieve greater effectiveness personally, in their classrooms or in their schools... The organisation and layout of the book is clear, with a succinct summary of the book's main points and suggestions for how to use it... Winning the H factor clearly presents the benefits of happy staff and students and the link between well-being and good learning outcomes... Further resources in the form of books and websites to follow up ideas and suggestions are included. Whilst the book is primarily aimed at those who work with children and young people in schools, particularly teachers and school leaders, others who work with young people in educational or social settings may also find it of interest.' -- ESCalate
'Although much of the book is given over to raise pupil morale and to improve their levels of enjoyment, the authors do (and refreshingly so) address the issue of making staff happy. ... This is an easy to read and well-balanced view of today's schools and of proven ways to promote a happy environment.' Brian A S Patterson, Matters Arising (The Independent Magazine for Governors)
"Smith, an author, developer, and trainer, Jones, and Reid, a secondary teacher, explain how positivity leads to successful outcomes in schools, rather than being a result of them. They propose a happiness model, discuss theories of happiness, and detail techniques for making classrooms, schools, and individuals happier. They also examine the importance of social networks, the relationship of affluence to happiness, how childhood today is different, the benefits of happiness and what research reveals, and the importance of positive relationships and classroom climate." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.



Book Information
ISBN 9781855395701
Author Alistair Smith
Format Paperback
Page Count 280
Imprint Network Continuum Education
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC