The importance of a whole school approach
In a whole school approach, wellbeing and mental health are everyone's business. It includes genuine engagement across the entire community with staff, pupils, governors, parents and external services. The approach involves many components including:
- early identification and intervention
- staff wellbeing and development
- and skills-based work for pupils
But above all it adopts a positive and universal focus on wellbeing.
Why have a whole school approach?
- Improved pupil wellbeing
- Improved staff wellbeing and retention
- Improved academic learning
- Strong link to improving school’s overall effectiveness
- Development of social and emotional skills
- Prevention of MH problems
- Improved school behaviour - reduction in fights, bullying, exclusions and absence.
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The Partnership for Well-being and Mental Health in Schools worked with Professor Katherine Weare, who:
- Developed an evidence-based guide on what ‘works in promoting social and emotional wellbeing in schools’
- Provided guidance on how to embed a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
You can find this and other resources for schools by clicking the links to documents below.