7: The Titans Learning Centre: Developing Social and Emotional Learning

Student disengagement from schooling remains a significant educational concern, posing substantial social and economic costs for both individuals and society. Those students entering early adolescence, typically aged 9–10 (Years 3 and 4), are beginning to undergo rapid and complex developmental changes, making this period a critical window of opportunity for intervention, as their social and emotional skills are particularly malleable. Early intervention programmes are critical for fostering students’ social and academic success. Evidence-based approaches, particularly those focused on the explicit teaching of social and emotional learning skills, have demonstrated positive outcomes for this sensitive age group. This chapter explores the Titans Learning Centre Programme, which was unique in its partnership between the Queensland Department of Education and Training and a professional National Rugby League (NRL) club, the Gold Coast Titans. This chapter examines the programme’s custom alternative schooling curriculum and the deliberate pedagogical practices of the teachers at the centre. A review of the programme showed that students developed stronger social and emotional learning capabilities and when they returned to their regular schools at the conclusion of the programme, were able to continue applying these newly honed skills and thrive.