CompletedInterventional

Passport to Success: can teaching children social and emotional skills improve their mental health?

Growing up can be tough, and many young people experience worries, sadness, or loneliness as they get older. This UK study explores whether a primary school programme called 'Passport' can help children manage their emotions and protect their mental health. Taking place in Greater Manchester, the trial involves state primary schools. Children in Year 4 and Year 5 complete simple online surveys about their feelings, friendships, and wellbeing. Half of the schools will teach the 18-week Passport programme, which uses comic books, discussions, and fun activities to teach coping skills, fairness, and handling change. The other half will continue with their usual classes. By comparing the two groups over a year, researchers hope to see if learning these emotional tools early on helps children feel happier and more confident. The findings could shape how schools support children's mental wellbeing in the future.

At a glance

Status

Completed

Sponsor

University of Manchester

Enrolment target

2,400

Start

17 Apr 2023

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2023

Prevention of internalizing symptoms in children aged 8-9 (at baseline)

What is this study about?

Around one in six children and young people in the UK face mental health difficulties. The move from childhood into the teenage years brings many changes, and this can be a time when feelings of anxiety, sadness, and loneliness first begin to appear. Helping children develop healthy ways to understand and manage their emotions early on can build resilience for the future.

Schools play a vital role in supporting young minds. The 'Passport to Success' study looks at a special teaching programme called 'Passport'. Designed for children aged 8 to 11, it uses engaging comic books, characters, and group activities to teach social and emotional skills. The lessons cover important life topics like understanding emotions, building strong friendships, dealing with difficult situations, and coping with loss or change.

Researchers at the University of Manchester want to find out whether taking part in Passport makes a real difference to children's mental wellbeing. By giving pupils practical tools to handle everyday challenges and stress, the programme aims to stop emotional problems before they start, helping children thrive both in the classroom and at home.

Key takeaways

Tests an 18-week classroom programme called 'Passport' to support children's mental wellbeing.
Aimed at primary pupils moving from Year 4 into Year 5 (aged 8 to 10).
Uses engaging comic strips, games, and activities to teach coping and emotional skills.
Takes place in state primary schools across Greater Manchester.
Compares pupils taking Passport with those following their regular school lessons.

Who may be eligible?

This study recruits whole schools rather than individual families. To take part, a school must be a state-funded, mainstream primary school located in or around the Greater Manchester area. Schools that have previously taught the Passport programme cannot join.

For pupils to take part, their school must first sign up for the study. The project focuses on children who start the trial in Year 4 (aged 8 to 9) and continue into Year 5 (aged 9 to 10).

Private or independent schools, special educational schools, and schools outside the Greater Manchester region are not eligible. Individual children cannot join the study unless their school is taking part.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

My child attends a state-funded mainstream primary school.
The school is located in or near Greater Manchester.
My child is in Year 4 at the start of the study.
The school has agreed to participate in the research.
The school has not delivered the Passport programme before.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part happens entirely during the school day, with no hospital visits, clinic appointments, or medications involved. At the start of the study, children complete a short, child-friendly online survey about their feelings, wellbeing, and friendships.

Schools are then randomly placed into one of two groups by chance (like flipping a coin). In the first group, teachers deliver 18 weekly Passport lessons. These 45-minute sessions feature comic strips, group discussions, emotion flashcards, and fun activity booklets. In the second group, children continue with their normal school lessons as usual. Approximately one year after the first survey, all children complete a follow-up survey to see if there have been any changes in their wellbeing. The entire study runs over a school year.

Potential risks and benefits

There are no medical or physical risks to taking part in this study. Occasionally, answering questions or talking about emotions might make a child feel slightly thoughtful or worried. If this happens, teachers are on hand to help, and children are guided on how to speak to parents, school staff, or helplines like Childline. While there is no guaranteed direct benefit, many children enjoy the comic book activities and find that reflecting on their feelings helps them understand themselves better. Participation is completely voluntary, and parents or children can choose to withdraw from the surveys at any time without any disadvantage.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Manchester Institute of Education
City only
Manchester, England

Common questions

Does this trial involve any medical treatments or tests?

No. There are no medicines, physical tests, or blood samples. It is entirely based on classroom lessons and online questionnaires.

Can I sign my child up individually?

No. The study is arranged directly through participating primary schools in Greater Manchester. Your child can only take part if their school is enrolled.

What happens during a Passport lesson?

Children read comic stories, complete worksheets, and discuss themes like handling worries, being a good friend, fairness, and dealing with changes in life.

What if my child's school is in the group that does not get Passport?

They will continue with their standard school curriculum. This 'control group' is essential so researchers can compare whether Passport makes a real difference compared to regular classes.

Can I withdraw my child from the study?

Yes. Parents can opt their child out of completing the research surveys at any time, and children can also choose not to answer any questions they do not wish to.

How to find out more

Joao Santos

joao.santos@manchester.ac.uk +44 161 275 8512 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.