How can I access Relationships?

Go to assemblies.org.uk for the free downloads and free written support material. These will play until April. Each episode plays for three months from when it first appeared on the site. After this time they will be available to keep from Teachers Dozen.

What do the assemblies consist of?

The assemblies vary but in general they are about 6 minutes in length. OFSTED recommend an assembly should last about 10 minutes so you have time for your own wraparound. They feature Harry and Megan on an adventure related to the SEAL theme, followed by a short reflection. If you choose you can stop the video before the reflection and substitute your own.

Don’t all assemblies have to be Christian?

The government requires that a majority of assemblies should be ‘broadly Christian’. We interpret this in a general sense to encompass the ethos of the major world religions and humanism including such themes as respect for others, the need to support one another, growing together and so on. These themes are typified by the message of the parable of the Good Samaritan and are embraced by people of many faiths and humanists too. See our article on Assembly Law for more and useful links.

What is a SEAL assembly?

SEAL stands for Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning - a government initiative focused on improving behaviour and learning through themes such as ‘New Beginnings’, ‘Going for Goals’ and ‘Good to be me’. You can find out more at:

http://nationalstrategies.standards.dcsf.gov.uk/primary/publications/banda/seal

How can I access New Beginnings?

Go to Teachers Dozen where you can purchase individual assemblies or a bargain pack of the whole series to keep and play as often as you like. The downloads are DVD quality with stereo sound. Captioned versions are also available for the hard of hearing and to aid word recognition. The captions are colour coded and are at the top of the screen so that children can read them over the heads of their classmates.