Fostering well-being in schools: A comprehensive approach

Initiatives such as ‘Pathways to School Success’ are pivotal in this shift, highlighting the need for a balanced development of cognitive, social and emotional competencies of students and their teachers.

Learning is intertwined with emotions and relationships. The well-being of students in schools plays a vital role in enhancing their academic performance. It influences their motivation, engagement, focus and capacity for learning, retention and application of knowledge. But well-being extends beyond academics; it encompasses the school and classroom environment, the dynamics of relationships among students and between students and teachers, and within the overall school community. This environment fosters empathy, compassion, resilience, respect and a sense of safety. It also encompasses the well-being and training needs of teachers and educators.

Despite these efforts, the integration of well-being strategies into educational systems remains diverse and fragmented. There is compelling evidence that a unified and sustainable approach, such as the whole-system, whole-school model, is crucial for effective implementation. This model involves:

1. Consistent application of practices and interventions of social emotional learning and well-being practices in all school environments, emphasising multidisciplinary involvement.
2. Engaging in a cross-sectoral approach, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, including parents and community members, to address complex issues.
3. Ensuring all students and their teachers receive support to develop and maintain their well-being (mental and physical) through curricular and extra-curricular activities.
4. Providing additional targeted support for students at risk of or experiencing mental health conditions in collaboration with health professionals.