Well Schools

Overview

Well Schools is a movement of over 2,000 schools and trusts taking positive action to improve education outcomes by supporting the health and happiness of their staff and pupils across the UK.

By joining the Well Schools movement, schools commit to prioritising wellbeing alongside academic achievement. Participants reflect on best practice, access a growing bank of resources, and demonstrate their commitment to a whole-school approach through the free-to-access Well Check and Well Schools Accreditation.

So we can best direct you, please tell us why you're here today:

I am an individual from a school who wants to complete the Well Check or Well Schools Accreditation.

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I am part of a group of schools and I want to support those schools in becoming a part of Well Schools.

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I would like to find out more about how Well Schools works and access relevant guidance and resources to support me.

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Well Check & Well Schools Accreditation

The Well Check and Well Schools Accreditation is currently available to all schools in the UK with pupils aged between 4-18.

Well Check

The Well Check is a free resource that helps schools prioritise wellbeing alongside academic achievement.

As a school you will receive:

  • Access your tailored Well Schools action plan 
  • Tailored support and resources
  • Content from trusted partners
  • Tools for school improvement.

Well Schools Accreditation

The Well Schools Accreditation quality assures your commitment to the whole-school approach to wellbeing.

As a school you will receive:

  • A peer reviewed accreditation
  • Bespoke feedback and support
  • Digital branding pack
  • Networking and communities of practice
  • Well Schools library (coming soon).

Please first log in or register for a free Youth Sport Trust account before starting your Well Check or Well Schools Accreditation.

Well Schools Groups

The Well Check and Well Schools Accreditation is currently available to all schools in the UK with pupils aged between 4-18.

The benefits of creating a group of schools include:

  • Allows you to see all your schools in real time
  • Gives you access to a group level action plan
  • Helps you understand the needs of all of your schools in one place
  • Provides group level payment options for the Accreditation
  • Enables access to YST and partner support.

Please first log in or register for a free Youth Sport Trust account before creating your group of schools.

How it works

1. Complete a free Well Check

Use our free-to-access self-review tool and get a tailored development plan to help you on your journey to becoming a Well School.

2. Utilise the recommendations to improve

Access our giant bank of resources and support to help you target specific areas of your approach and make a real difference.

3. Become an accredited Well School

Demonstrate your successes and turn your Well Check into an official accreditation.

What is a Well School?

A Well School still has high expectations, but places just as much emphasis on health and wellbeing as it does on academic performance. It understands that children and young people are more effective learners when they are happy and healthy, and that staff are better educators when they are genuinely supported.

Benefits of being a Well School:

  • Increases in progress and attainment
  • Improvements in physical and mental health
  • Increased attendance
  • Higher self-efficacy
  • Increased executive function
  • Improved behaviour
  • Reduced exclusions
  • Improved job satisfaction
  • Increased staff retention

 

 

Evidence shows that happier teachers and happier children make for better learning environments

Youth Sport Trust
Youth Sport Trust

Evidence of impact

A Well School journey takes time and takes planning. Evidence shows that advocating staff wellbeing, staff recognition and allowing staff to have autonomy over staff wellbeing in their schools can lead to positive outcomes.

It also shows that pupils who are happier and healthier has had a positive impact on pupils’ engagement with learning and academic performance.

Here you will find the summary reports, school profiles and case studies from the Well Schools research conducted by the University of Manchester and case studies from Trusts where they have improved education outcomes through a Well School approach.

Well School Collective

We have a diverse range of senior leaders in education, who have lived experiences of improving schools by supporting happy, healthy children and staff. We also work with a range of partners that have amazing support and resources that can help you address the challenges you have to creating a healthy, happy school. We are delighted to work with such an inspirational group of people as part of our Well School Collective.

  • Ben Levinson OBE, Executive Head Teacher, Kensington Primary School
  • Adrian Bethune, Teachappy & teacher, Broughton Junior School
  • Farhan Adam, Principal, Crown Hills Community & Sports College
  • Dave McPartlin, Head Teacher, Flakefleet Primary School
  • Kafilat Agboola, Director of Professional Learning, Haberdashers Academy South Trust
  • Chris Dyson, Deputy CEO, Create Partnership Trust
  • Jeremy Hannay, Head Teacher, Three Bridges Primary School
  • Vincent Brittain, Chief Executive, Inspire+
  • Rae Snape, Head Teacher, Milton Road Primary School
  • Matthew Carpenter, Principal, Baxter College
  • Sue Watmough, Head Teacher, Manchester Communication Academy
  • Dan Keefe and Kev Byrne, Deputy Head Teacher, Clare Mount Sports College
  • Peter Hunt, Head Teacher, Oasis Academy Blakenhale

Start your Well Check today

Log in or register for a free Youth Sport Trust account and create your Well Schools development plan.

Register