Bespoke wellbeing education programmes for young people wanting to thrive

available online and in-person

About Me

My name is Sarah Bonnett and I have been living in Portugal for the past four years. My career is founded on 25 years’ experience of teaching in primary, middle and high schools across North America and Europe (including several years in International schools). Born, raised and educated in the UK, I entered the profession as a modern languages teacher and soon realised that my true passion was rooted in raising the feel-good factor of my students. It became glaringly obvious to me that academic progress was unachievable without nurturing the fundamentals of wellbeing (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning and achievement). Though I didn't realise it at the time, I was already experiencing the power of Positive Education.

Having spent more time with these young people during weekdays than their parents, I have not only gained insight to the myriad of issues they face, but I have also learned the strategies which have long-lasting solutions and play a role in developing a positive and resilient mindset.

However, schools' current efforts to systematically and sustainably address the individual and collective wellbeing of students are not enough. Kids' struggles are too often overshadowed in the demanding pursuit of academic achievement and contributing to school league tables. The focus within schools, from teaching to reporting, often remains deficit-based instead of strengths-based. The painful truth is that without receiving expert, individualised and measured interventions which address their wellbeing needs many young people do not experience thriving within a school context. They often do not have the opportunity to see it modelled by peers or faculty either with teacher burnout at an all-time high. At worst, kids suffer daily from feeling anxious, overwhelmed, disengaged and generally unhappy. They frequently experience 'languishing' - a dangerous and unmotivating place where coasting and making do dominate. Neither of these make thriving possible, let alone likely. Children's character strengths tend not to receive the attention they require and precious opportunities for genuine holistic growth are lost. Therefore, it's of little surprise that the topic of school becomes a bone of contention in many households.

Recognising that appropriately attending to young people's wellbeing needs has become increasingly challenging within the context of many school settings, I made the tough decision to close the door to my comfort zone of the classroom. Instead, I established higher-stronger-happier in order to deliver the skills and tools of wellbeing education to young people on my own terms.

Through my custom-made programmes based on the latest science of wellbeing (positive psychology, emotional intelligence and neuroscience), I have dedicated myself to bridge the ever-widening gap between what schools are authentically offering and what parents most want for their children; to be happy.

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Wellbeing Education

what it is

At its core, wellbeing education is the simple concept of young people learning how to be able to live a happy and fulfilling life by:

nurturing a positive and growth mindset
recognising and honouring a full range of emotions in themselves and others
establishing worthwhile connections with others
finding a sense of 'flow' through engagement in activities and interests
fostering a sense of purpose in what they do and want to do in the future
relishing achievement in its many forms

These are the fundamental pillars of wellbeing. Each and every one of them comes with skills and strategies which are 100% teachable. The science of Positive Psychology has come a long way, proving that not only are many elements of our wellbeing within our control, but that the earlier we equip ourselves with these skills, the sooner we can learn what thriving looks like to us as individuals, how we can contribute more positively and sustainably to our communities, and face life's promised challenges with greater levels of resilience and optimism.

why it matters

You don't need to look very far to see that there is a global crisis concerning youth mental health. Young people are facing more and more challenges from all directions, but they often lack the skills and wisdom to deal with them healthily and sustainably. With over half of their average woken day spent at school, dealing with assessments, relationships with friends/teachers and peer pressure determine a huge part of youth wellbeing, In turn that has a natural impact on the wellbeing of their families. Starting a new grade, or even a new school can be incredibly exciting, but to get the absolute most from them, it's necessary to be proactive. Learning how to put your best foot forward by developing specific skills and applying suitable positive interventions enables young people to navigate the unknown. Not just avoiding a lot of stress, tears and unhappiness, increased educational wellbeing creates opportunity for vigorous growth and flourishing in all areas of life.

what I offer

Through weekly individual sessions either online or in-person (I am based in Estoril, Portugal), I provide tailor-made wellbeing programmes which explore each element of wellbeing based on individual needs. This journey not only guides youngsters to navigate challenges and adversity proactively and healthily, but propels them towards optimal living. Using a combination of measures and practical positive interventions based on the latest research in positive psychology, emotional intelligence and neuroscience, I impart the specialist knowledge of Positive Education, gained through connecting with students and parents for more than two decades in various teaching and leadership roles alongside the science of wellbeing. Additionally, I equip parents with the knowledge and guidance they need in order to achieve optimal communication with and support from schools. With high transparency and zero fluff, I teach the practical skills and strategies of living a higher, stronger and happier existence.