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Jan-Mar: Delivered ‘Psychology Topics - Prejudice & Obedience, Romantic Relationships and  Mental Health’ for Rossett’s Extended Schools Adult Education Programme.

Commentary: For several months Extended Schools coordinator Malcolm Howe and I had been kicking around the idea of an ‘intermediate’ course for ‘graduates’ of the ‘Understanding Yourself & Others - an Introduction to Psychology’ course to further their leaning. When ‘Psychology Topics’ was finally staged, we were amazed at the number of participants who enrolled - having to cap enrolment at 16 for logistical reasons. About half came from the previous ‘Introduction…’ courses but just as many were totally new to my training. Malcolm had asked me to design the course so it wasn’t completely essential to have been on the ‘Introduction…’ course (though, clearly, it would help!) and I paired ‘newbies’ with ‘oldies’ when drawing upon concepts from the earlier programme. While there was a little drop out and not everyone could make every session, the group gelled incredibly well and several friendships appeared to form.

The content was geared to the 3 topic areas, though regular reference was made to Spiral Dynamics, Hierarchy of Needs, Schemas & Memes and Dimensions of Temperament amongst the psychological concepts discussed.

Feedback on the course was overwhelmingly positive, with requests for a ‘Psychology Topics 2’ and discussion of setting up a network group, possibly along the lines of the Humberside MESH Network.

February: A therapy client I had worked with 3 years back returned to me to help with a different issue.

March: Results from the January exams were exceptional for my private tutees - all As and Bs, with one A at 90%! The Sociology results at Rossett were also impressive, including a couple of As and all students either meeting or exceeding target - 3 of them significantly. The Psychology results at both Rossett and Woodhouse Grove were rather more mixed, though they still included a smattering of As and Bs.

Commentary: In the past year I’ve worked with some incredibly talented and committed young people and it was fantastic to see them get the rewards they so richly deserved.

March:  A tutee I had worked with 4 years back came to me to help her put together her final year dissertation.

Commentary: It was lovely to see this young lady again and to see how much she had matured.

The ‘Psychology Topics’ Participants, March 2012 - (l-r): Caroline Metcalfe, Joanna Russell, Vikki McKeever, Paul Mitchell, Judith Turner, Claire Saxon, Terri Oliver, Elaine Wilson and Pete Skinner.