Children's wellbeing in schools

• Research data for England suggests that positive wellbeing helps children to engage in learning.
• Research shows that aspects of school culture, including relationships and sense of belonging, are important for wellbeing.
• Short-term outcomes of low wellbeing can include effects on relationships and behaviour, absence from school, and lower academic achievement.
Long-term outcomes can include effects on mental health and adult employment.
• More evidence is needed around approaches to improving wellbeing of children in schools, the factors underpinning the most effective approaches, and how best to measure their impact.
• Practices that may improve wellbeing include psychological, social, culture and environment-based practices, and physical health promotion. However, evidence around these practices is mixed and it is challenging for practitioners to determine which practices to implement, and how.
• In December 2024 the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill was laid before Parliament, which contained several proposals related to wellbeing in schools including on provision of breakfast clubs.