This is achievable in a variety of small ways, the cumulative effect of which can have a very powerful influence on students’ sense of wellbeing.
- Provide opportunities for all members of the school community to participate in meaningful decision-making in school,
- Develop a welcoming environment where everyone at school can feel supported and safe
- Reduce the anxiety students feel about examinations and testing
- Teach methods that contribute to a positive classroom climate and wellbeing,
- Find curriculum opportunities to talk about wellbeing issues with students,
- Integrate citizenship and education for intercultural understanding into different school subjects and extra-curricular activities
- Introduce student-led forms of conflict management and approaches to bullying and harassment,
- Improve the physical environment of the school to make it more student-friendly,
- Encourage healthier eating
- Work with parents to enhance students’ achievement and sense of purpose in school,
Individual initiatives like these can be brought together at the whole-school level through a policy development process which ‘mainstreams’ wellbeing as a school issue. Addressing student wellbeing at school always goes hand in hand with action to protect the health and wellbeing of teachers and other community members.