According to a recent study, 52% of teachers have a mental health illness diagnosed by a GP. Furthermore, 90% of school leaders say that there is a significant increase in the number of students who experience stress and anxiety in the last five years. So, with stress levels in school seemingly at an all-time high, having a culture of wellbeing has never been so important.

The term wellbeing is prominent in the education sector, and developing a culture of wellbeing is a key objective for many school leaders. So, what does it really mean?

Wellbeing is complex and multidimensional. It takes into account a vast range of factors from mental and physical health to social and emotional happiness and life satisfaction as a whole.

Put simply; it’s how each person feels about themselves and their situation.

So, how can schools create an environment and culture of wellbeing, so that it works for everyone?

Wellbeing At Centre Stage

In order to create a culture of wellbeing, wellbeing needs to be a central focus of the school experience for students, teachers and staff. Currently, only 4% of primary schools have a published policy for mental health, while just 2% of secondary schools have an online published policy in place.

These statistics show that a critical starting place for many schools is to not only create a wellbeing policy but share it proudly with teachers, students, parents and stakeholders. By displaying this wellbeing policy on the school’s website and literature, it begins to instil a culture of wellbeing and demonstrates the value system of the school as a whole.

A key consideration of putting wellbeing at the centre stage is how schools celebrate the individual strengths of their students and staff. Wellbeing goes far beyond academic achievements and takes a more holistic approach.

With this in mind, schools may need to review how the value strengths such as emotional intelligence, gratitude, kindness and optimism. By focusing on and celebrating these strengths shows that the school is leading the way in acceptance, equality, and how value is perceived; all of which are vital components of wellbeing.

Wellbeing For Students And Teachers

One of the most critical aspects of wellbeing in school is that it focuses on the welfare of everyone in the school community. This even stretches beyond the teachers and students as schools can be an integral part of the local area and communities. So, when building a culture of wellbeing, it is essential to look at the different aspects from multiple perspectives.

How To Build A Culture Of Wellbeing

A Wellbeing Audit

Conducting an audit can provide a great starting place and is a crucial metric system that can make wellbeing measurable. With this, you can work out the current level in the school, where people want the standard to be and how to get there.

Give Thanks

Both students and teachers regularly go the extra mile for their team but are not always thanked for their support. This can be disheartening, leading many to wonder; ‘why do I bother?’  However, a positive culture of regularly saying thank you doesn’t have to be gushy or embarrassing. It is simply being grateful and recognising effort.

Create A Wellbeing Team

A mix of leaders, teachers, support staff and student voices can all help to drive the culture of wellbeing at school forwards. Having a team can help to give accountability and responsibility to ensuring wellbeing goals are not only recognised across the school but are achieved.

Encourage Collaboration

It can be easy to see inconsistencies across schools. However, leaders need to value everyone equally, and this can often be achieved through collaborative approaches. Working together helps to share the workload which can increase stress and anxiety. However, perhaps more importantly, it enables people to improve their social wellbeing too.

Even if some team members prefer working individually, being valued as an equal and feeling like an integral part of a process can inspire collaboration and wellbeing in school.

Listen More

Often it is only the loudest that are heard. However, to foster an environment of wellbeing, it is essential that leaders make sure everyone is heard. What’s more, the most influential leaders will make sure they not only listen, but they act too. By creating a school environment which has a genuine ‘listen and be heard’ culture, the school can become more caring, more empathetic and more reflective too.

Be Unique

Every single person in the school will have a different idea of how to improve wellbeing, and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. So, be bold, be unique and create a wellbeing culture that works for your school and the values that it holds.