Schools face significant pressures that impact the wellbeing of both staff and pupils. Last year, UK teachers recorded over 2 million sick days, with more than half of staff experiencing work-related stress, while pupils accounted for 22 million sick days.

 

Prioritising wellbeing in schools leads to lower absence, reduced stress, improved morale, and creates a healthier, happier, and more inclusive environment. A strong wellbeing strategy demonstrates that the school cares and supports its community, helping staff and pupils feel valued and motivated.
 

This course equips school leaders and staff with the knowledge, tools, and practical guidance to develop and implement a tailored wellbeing strategy. It covers staff wellbeing, pupil wellbeing, or a combined approach, ensuring a positive culture across the school. Participants will learn how to assess needs, define goals, create practical initiatives, and embed ongoing evaluation to sustain a culture of wellbeing.
 

Session 1 – Introduction and Why Wellbeing Matters
•    Why schools need a wellbeing strategy
•    Understanding wellbeing and the 5 pillars:

      Physical, Mental/Emotional, Social, Financial, Career
•    Duty of care and legal requirements
 

Session 2 – Assessing Needs and Defining Goals
•    Understanding the wellbeing needs of your staff and pupils
•    Defining clear, achievable goals for your wellbeing strategy
•    Developing and shaping the strategy with practical ideas
 

Session 3 – Pillars of Wellbeing: Physical & Mental/Emotional
•    Physical wellbeing: standing, moving, screen breaks, healthy working
      environment, nutrition, sleep, gym links, classroom challenges
•    Mental/Emotional wellbeing: normalising mental health, work-life balance,
      personal skills, managing emotions, peer networks, relaxation techniques,
      quiet spaces, creativity sessions, positivity
 

Session 4 – Pillars of Wellbeing: Social, Financial & Career
•    Social wellbeing: creating belonging, inclusive spaces, contests, buddy
      systems, diversity & inclusion, social events, peer recognition, team-building
•    Financial wellbeing: staff resources, pupil support (PP & FSM), mental health
      support, nutrition, trips, uniform, financial education
•    Career wellbeing: setting goals, CPD, recognition, celebrating positives
 

Session 5 – Developing, Launching & Sustaining Your Strategy
•    General strategy: wellbeing calendar, rewards, challenges
•    Staffing: senior leadership, line managers, wellbeing champions, and mental
      health first aiders
•    Writing your strategy: examples and starting points
•    Launching your strategy: branding, communication, visual displays
•    Ongoing assessment and updates: mood polls, feedback forms, tracking
      against goals, identifying barriers

 

Outcomes - By the end of the course, participants will understand why wellbeing is critical for staff, pupils, and the wider school community; be able to assess the needs of their school and define clear wellbeing goals; develop a practical, tailored wellbeing strategy encompassing all five pillars; implement initiatives to improve physical, mental, social, financial, and career wellbeing; identify roles and responsibilities for effective delivery, including leadership and wellbeing champions; launch the strategy effectively and communicate it to staff and pupils; monitor, evaluate, and update the strategy to ensure ongoing success; foster a positive, inclusive, and supportive school culture.