.begin for Educators

.begin for Educators

Why learn mindfulness as an educator?

The benefits of mindfulness for school staff have been well researched and include:

  • a reduction in stress, burnout and anxiety
  • a reduction in the sense of task and time pressure

For more information please read Professor Katherine Weare’s paper Evidence for Mindfulness: Impacts on the Wellbeing and Performance of School Staff.

What will I get from .begin?

.begin is an introduction to mindfulness for the purpose of supporting participants in terms of their own understanding of mindfulness and general wellbeing. .begin does not involve training to teach mindfulness to young people or adults.

If you are interested in teaching mindfulness to your pupils, those who complete the .begin course and continue to practise mindfulness on a regular basis can then qualify for further training to teach either our Paws b curriculum (for 7 – 11 year-olds) or our .b curriculum (for 11 – 18 year-olds).

What are the prerequisites?

Applicants must:

  1. Either work or volunteer in a school or work/volunteer within an educational setting on a regular basis. Please note School governors and those who volunteer regularly in a school (including parent volunteers) are also eligible to apply.
  2. Be over 18 years of age
  3. Be able to commit to the dates and times of the online sessions
  4. Have access to a computer or laptop with a webcam and have a good broadband speed capable of running Zoom, click here to check technical requirements.
  5. Understand that this course is not intended as a therapeutic intervention. Should you have any concerns regarding your mental or physical health, please see your GP or other medical advisors.
  6. .begin is intended for participants who have not previously taken part in an 8-week secular mindfulness training course.
  7. Understand that .begin does not involve training to teach mindfulness to young people or adults. It is an introduction to mindfulness for the purpose of supporting participants in terms of their own understanding of mindfulness and general wellbeing.

NB Applicants from outside of the UK must: Meet the above prerequisites and be able to speak and understand English to an Upper Intermediate Level, ie be able to interact fluently with native speakers, communicate effectively and understand everyday language.

How much does .begin cost?

A supported place on a .begin course will be automatically offered to all those working or volunteering regularly in a state-funded school in the UK, the cost is £150 + VAT per person.

If you work for a local education authority or charity you may also be eligible for a supported place on a .begin course, please click here to read the Terms and Conditions and to complete the request form.

Otherwise, the price is £195 + VAT per person

If you wish to discuss group training requirements please contact communications@mindfulnessinschools.org

.begin Tasters

We now offer 45 minute live-online sessions delivered by a trained MiSP instructor to support anyone interested in finding out more about mindfulness and the eight-week .begin course. Click here to book a place on a Free information webinar.

 

Ready to .begin?

Frequently asked questions

Can I apply for the Teach .b/Paws b course before completing my eight-week introduction to mindfulness course?

To ensure there is time to continue to explore and deepen the practices you have learned on your eight week mindfulness course, we require at least two – three months’ embedding period (depending on previous mindfulness experience) between the completion of your eight-week course and starting a Train to Teach .b or Paws b course.

However, you can apply to attend the Teach .b or Paws b course once you reach the end of your eight-week course, provided you commit to ongoing regular practice – both formal and informal. For more information on what this involves, please see the prerequisites for Teach Paws b and Teach .b

How do I find out more about mindfulness?

MiSP delivers Information Events across the UK, please click here to find one near you.

I am new to mindfulness, is .begin the right course for me?

We certainly hope so. .begin is taught online, but face-to-face in real-time by highly experienced mindfulness practitioners who are skilled in delivering group sessions. Hugely experienced in mindfulness and its many benefits through their own practice and training, they also understand the demands of working in education.

While .begin is intended as a general introduction to mindfulness for personal well-being, mindfulness is not for everyone. In particular, people who have recently experienced trauma or bereavement, or severe physical or mental illness, should consult with their GP or other medical advisers before undertaking any form of mindfulness training or practice.

For more information, please read the following article by Ruth Baer and Willem Kuyken.

If you wish to discuss any concerns you might have about the .begin course in this respect, please contact enquiries@mindfulnessinschools.org

Do I need to work in education to apply for .begin?

Yes. You would have to either work or volunteer in a school or work/volunteer within an educational setting on a regular basis. Please note School governors and those who volunteer regularly in a school (including parent volunteers) are eligible to apply.

Will the technology for the online courses work for me?

You need a reasonable broadband internet connection and a computer or laptop with a webcam and microphone (which are built into almost all laptops nowadays). The platform we use is called Zoom, so for precise technical requirements, click here. As general guidance, if Skype or Facetime work on your computer or laptop then you should be fine.

What is the time commitment for the 8-week .begin course?

After a 30-45 minute orientation, .begin takes the form of eight weekly sessions of approximately 90 minutes. There will also be home practice of around 20 minutes per day.

Will I receive a certificate on completion? Will it count towards CPD?

Having completed the course, you will receive a certificate. This could form part of your professional development records.

What if I have other questions?

Please read the terms and conditions for booking and attending a .begin course and if you have any questions feel free to contact us at enquiries@mindfulnessinschools.org