Youth Sport Trust has awarded the first Well School accreditations, marking a significant shift in how school effectiveness can be recognised and evaluated in the UK. The new framework enables leaders to evidence wellbeing as a strategic priority through external validation, rather than treating it as a supportive but largely unmeasured aspect of school culture. 

The Well School accreditation provides a structured framework allowing schools to evaluate and evidence wellbeing practice with the same rigour applied to academic outcomes and safeguarding provision. The framework aims to be straightforward and realistic to implement within existing structures, without adding extra workload. Through external peer review and a clear rating system, the accreditation supports leaders to demonstrate impact to parents and governors, track progress and embed accountability for wellbeing across whole-school strategy. 

In the first 3 months since its launch, over 40 schools have applied for their Well Schools Accreditation, with seven already peer reviewed and awarded. The first accredited schools are: 

Supporting schools through increasing sector pressures 

The milestone comes as school leaders face mounting pressure around workforce sustainability, attendance and inclusion, yet growing evidence highlights that prioritising wellbeing has a critical role in improving educational outcomes.  

In particular, insights from the Well School pilot showed teachers at participating case study schools reported: 

A YouGov survey of more than 1,000 parents, guardians and carers, co-funded by #BeeWell and the Youth Sport Trust in April 2025, found that 66% of parents selected pupil wellbeing as an important consideration when selecting a  secondary school, more so than other factors such as school location (62%), facilities (61%), school culture and ethos (56%) and Ofsted rating (52%). Notably, only 43% of parents cited exam results as a key factor in their decision. 

Moving wellbeing from intention to sustained action 

The fore core areas for measurement in the Well School Accreditation are: 

Attendees to Youth Sport Trust Conference 2026 will have access to sessions delivered by Beacon Well Schools exploring the journey to accreditation, along with practical insights and examples. 

Ali Oliver MBE, Youth Sport Trust CEO, said: “Schools are facing immense pressure every day, from workforce challenges to rising pupil needs. Children today are also facing pressures unknown to previous generations, sedentary lifestyles and the constant influence of social media and excessive screen time. If we do not adjust our approaches, we will see increasing consequences for young people's education and development.  

“Prioritising wellbeing in school culture is one of the most powerful ways to intervene, yet it remains an under-used resource. The Well Check helps schools review their provision and be signposted to practical school-led solutions, and Well School accreditation celebrates and validates schools taking action and demonstrates to parents, carers and their community a forward-thinking approach.  Our research shows what schools do to promote wellbeing is a major factor in parental choice when it comes to their child’s school. When pupils and staff feel supported, safe and valued, engagement rises, behaviour improves, and children are given the best chance to thrive both academically and personally." 

Find out more about the Well School movement and accreditation here.