Author
Rob Eastment
Head of Marketing, EMEA
Firefly
Category
The promotion of student wellbeing is a key part of the learning environment and a feature of the best schools. Wellbeing is defined as the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy and is fundamental to successful student learning and motivation. However, student wellbeing doesn’t just happen - it needs to be actively fostered and supported by everyone in the learning process.
With half of all mental health issues occurring in people before the age of 14, schools play an undeniably important role in student development. This is why, when pupils are in our care, we need to make their wellbeing a priority.
In this blog we share 5 areas to consider when thinking about how to better support student wellbeing.
The Environment
The environment we live, work and relax in plays a huge part in how we feel. Places that feel welcoming and inclusive are conducive to a better sense of wellbeing. Whilst we may be limited by what we can do structurally, there are steps we can take to make our environment a better one for everyone.
Communication
Good communication lies at the heart of wellbeing, and in the case of students, this needs to be communication with both students and parents. Students need to understand what is expected of them and how well they are meeting those expectations, but they also need this to be reinforced at home. Keeping parents informed and up to date is a crucial part of that process.
Behaviour Management
Poor behaviour around school can have a significant, negative impact on the wellbeing of both students and teachers. However, behaviour management can be a significant drain on a teacher’s time and so they need a way to monitor, track and escalate incidents of poor behaviour quickly and easily.
Student Motivation & Rewards
Of course the other side of behaviour management is rewarding and encouraging good behaviour. Motivated students have a greater sense of wellbeing and there tend to be fewer incidents of poor behaviour - it's a virtuous circle. Less time is spent on behaviour management, so teachers have more time to teach and their wellbeing is better supported as well.
Policies
It goes without saying that schools need to have some sort of student wellbeing policy in place. Not only does this outline the expectations of staff, students and parents, but it is also a clear message to the school community about the importance of wellbeing in the school culture. A behaviour policy is a key starting point and helps to foster a positive school environment where wellbeing can flourish.
In our FREE eBook we share concrete steps you can take to ensure wellbeing is at the heart of what you do as a school. It includes practical tips for creating a welcoming environment and a checklist to inform your school policies. Download our eBook: “The 5 Fundamentals to Support Student Wellbeing” today!
