A cluster randomised controlled trial of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a mindfulness training programme in schools compared with normal school provision: the MYRIAD trial
Mental wellbeing
Randomisation of schools to intervention and control arms (‘Teaching as usual’) will be stratified and will be carried out by an independent statistician. The following stratification variables will be considered, with final decisions taken once schools have been recruited: School size (large/small), type of school (selective/non-selective, independent/non-independent, mixed/single gender, school quality measure e.g. OFSTED), geographic location (urban/rural and region) and level of deprivation (below or above median of children eligible for free school meals). ‘Teaching as Usual’ group: Schools will continue to teach their usual scheduled lessons. Mindfulness Training group: Schools will be trained in the mindfulness (MT) programme to be included in the school curriculum the following school year. The training programme to deliver the MT programme curriculum involves teachers first participating in an 8-week MBCT programme, adapted for the general (non-clinical) population, to support the development of their resilience and mindfulness skills (eight 2 hour sessions per week, with an all-day mindfulness session supported by a digital app to facilitate mindfulness practice during and after the 8 week course). They will then attend a 4-day training workshop to learn how to deliver the MT in schools. Schools, teachers and pupil will be followed up for 2 years after the pre-intervention measures.
School: 1. Able to fulfil SEL/PSHE assessment 2. Have pupils in key stage 3 3. Are mainstream UK schools 4. Have English speaking curriculum 5. Have at least 5 teachers that meet criteria for inclusion 6. Be able to timetable into the normal curriculum the mindfulness programme taught by the trained teachers if allocated to training arm of the trial Teacher: 1. Have Qualified Teacher status (QTS) or 2 years teaching experience 2. Have a permanent contract with the school, or likely to be in the same school for next 3 years 3. Be available to attend an 8 week personal mindfulness course consisting of a 2 hour class each week together with a ‘silent day’ which is usually on a Saturday and then attend a further course to be trained in the mindfulness programme (4 full days optionally residential) in the current school year 4. Be willing to complete measures for the project 5. Be happy to deliver the mindfulness programme to pupils in school following training Pupil: 1. In year 7 or 8 of school 2. Are in a school and a class taking part in the trial 3. Has good comprehension of written and spoken English 4. In case of needing additional support, has teaching assistant available
Current exclusion criteria as of 31/07/2020: School: 1. School has current OFSTED rating of ‘Inadequate’ 2. School has no substantive head teacher 3. Special educational needs school 4. Already implementing a mindfulness programme Teacher: 1. Be a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) 2. Have already completed an 8-week face-to-face mindfulness course or the ‘.b’ training provided by Mindfulness in Schools Project 3. Be currently identified as unsatisfactory in their performance management cycle Pupil: No exclusion criteria _____ Previous exclusion criteria: School: 1. School has current OFSTED rating of ‘Inadequate’ 2. School has no substantive head teacher 3. Special educational need school Teacher: 1. Be a Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) 2. Have already completed an eight week face to face mindfulness course or the ‘.b’ training provided by Mindfulness in Schools Project 3. Be currently identified as unsatisfactory in their performance management cycle Pupil: No exclusion criteria