PUTTING STUDENT WELLBEING AT THE FOREFRONT IN SCHOOLS

One of the most obvious outcomes of life over this past year has been the reduction in overall wellbeing, especially among children. In response, parents are increasingly valuing schools that provide wellbeing programmes for their students.

A staggering 96% of admissions officers at international schools report that parents now believe student wellbeing provision to be an important or very important factor in school choice for their child, according to a white paper published in February by ISC Research, a leading provider of international school data, trends and intelligence. In an effort to support the overall wellbeing of its students, parents and faculty, Fairgreen International School has developed a robust wellbeing programme, led by Head of Counselling Jackie Greenwood with support from the school’s Wellbeing Team. We asked Jackie to share how Fairgreen is at the forefront of providing wellbeing support for students:

Why is student wellbeing important?

It is a commonly held belief that right now, globally, we are being challenged with an ability to live well and be well. Schools and educational governance around the world have focused often solely on academic attainment, analytical and critical thinking skills. This has often been at the expense of cultivating the interpersonal, affective and social skills, which provide a much-needed balance of heart and mind. Evidence supports schools focusing on the health and wellbeing of children as a clear indicator that this improves academic accomplishment, whilst also helping them to live well.

At the heart of creating a culture that nourishes both aspects, we value human relationships above all else. When we create relationships with our students that are warm, empathetic and encouraging, our students are more likely to thrive.

How should a school focus on providing wellbeing on campus?