Building resilience through Social & Emotional Learning

By Francesca Keynton, SEL Lead

At School of Hard Knocks (SOHK), we understand that education is about so much more than grades and exams – it’s about giving young people the tools to navigate life. Let’s face it, life can be tough, and many of today’s young people face challenges that schools often don’t have the capacity to address. Our Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) programme comes in here.

We cover the stuff that really matters but often gets left out of the classroom – topics like masculinity, consent, mental health, emotional regulation, and even the impact of social media. These aren’t just abstract ideas but the everyday realities shaping young people’s lives. At SOHK, we create a safe space where young people can tackle these big topics head-on, giving them the confidence to be open, honest, and, ultimately, themselves.

Transformations Through SEL

It’s incredible what happens when young people feel heard and supported. I remember working with a 13-year-old girl who was struggling in school. Her behaviour was becoming too challenging for the teaching team, and she was at risk of exclusion. During an SEL session about identity, she opened up about feeling lost and unsure of who she was.

From there, we worked together one-on-one to figure out the reasons behind her behaviour and what she needed to feel supported. We then collaborated with her school to put changes in place. The result? By the end of the year, she hadn’t been excluded once, her behaviour points dropped dramatically, and, most importantly, she felt happier and more secure in herself.

Another young girl we worked with came to us during extreme anxiety, PTSD, and an eating disorder. For three years, she joined our weekly SEL and rugby sessions. Slowly, she built trust with us, learned strategies for managing her emotions, and began to rebuild her confidence.

It wasn’t an overnight transformation – and that’s okay. Healing takes time. But the long-term support SOHK gave her made a world of difference. Today, she’s using the tools she learned with us to manage her mental health and take positive steps forward.

Why SEL Matters

What sets our SEL programme apart is that it’s not just about ticking boxes. It’s about connecting with young people on their level and helping them see that they’re not alone in facing life’s challenges.

Each session is carefully designed to tackle real-life issues like managing anxiety, building a growth mindset, and breaking free from negative core beliefs. For many of the young people we work with, these sessions are a turning point – a moment when they realise they have the strength to face their struggles and begin to grow and shine.

SOHK’s 5Cs Framework

At the heart of what we do is our 5Cs framework: Confidence, Commitment, Communication, Control, and Cohesion. Originally developed by psychologists, this model shapes everything, from our rugby sessions to our life-skills lessons.

1. Confidence: We help young people believe in themselves.
2. Commitment: We encourage them to stick with things, even when it’s tough.
3. Communication: Our team teaches the power of open, honest conversations.
4. Control: We provide strategies for handling emotions and making good decisions.
5. Cohesion: SOHK programmes build a sense of belonging and teamwork.

We believe that rugby is an incredible catalyst for achieving these outcomes. The 5Cs are the backbone of our programme, seamlessly connecting lessons learned on the pitch to the challenges of everyday life.

Adapting for today

Let’s be real – the world is changing faster than ever, and the pressures young people face are constantly evolving. From the impact of social media on self-esteem to navigating a post-pandemic world, we adapt our sessions to reflect what’s happening right now. But No matter how the content changes, our mission stays the same: to help young people grow, thrive, and succeed – in school and in life.

“No matter how the content changes, our mission stays the same: to help young people grow, thrive, and succeed – in school and in life.”

The ripple effect

When a young person develops confidence, learns to manage their emotions, and feels connected to a supportive community, the impact is felt far beyond themselves. Families, schools, and communities all benefit from the positive changes that come from SEL.

For some, it’s about rediscovering the joy of learning. For others, it’s about managing anxiety or finding their sense of purpose. Whatever the journey, we’re here to support them every step of the way.

If you’d like to support our work or learn more about the difference SEL can make, get in touch