Introduction to Wellbeing
Wellbeing is an explicit outcome of Values-based Education (VbE). We describe it as values-based wellbeing.
Whole School Approach
Values-based Education itself creates an environment which supports wellbeing directly. The wellbeing aspects of VbE are identified and explained through the Inner Curriculum. Students and staff develop stronger, more supportive relationships. They understand themselves and each other better. And they develop self-awareness, self-worth and a growing understanding of their meaning and purpose.
For the most impactful changes, the VbE philosophy is the transformational approach to wellbeing. Its initial impact will be felt within weeks. We commend the whole-school, environmental approach to wellbeing as the most effective way to improve the long-term wellbeing of students, staff and the whole community.
Program Approach
Values-based wellbeing offers three options of direct support to strengthen wellbeing to meet the different needs of schools in different circumstances. The routes range from individual to class to whole school support.
Option 1: Wellbeing Support Tool
The Wellbeing Support Tool has been developed by David Bartlett, head of Pear Tree Projects. This is a school for students with special needs. The school works with children with severe social needs, such as bullying, exploitation and abuse.
This option is particularly well suited to schools with particularly challenging students who may need professional support but who are not able to access the support they need.
The tool helps schools to assess the individual needs of individual students. It was developed to help mainstream schools identify specific issues that the student may need to address. The tool is founded in values-based principles. It provides extensive suggestions and the school offers in-person support where needed.
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Option 2: Building Wellbeing
Andrew Fuller is a leading, global child psychologist.
He has developed the "Seven Building Blocks" model of wellbeing. It has been developed specifically for schools and their students. The model uses tried and tested psychological concepts to help schools to develop the wellbeing of students and staff.
This option is well suited to a whole-school approach to wellbeing. It helps schools to understand how wellbeing builds within a school setting and offers concrete advice on what schools can do to increase students' wellbeing.
For more details: (available shortly)
Option 3: The SPARK program
SPARK is an online program that students use to help them understand how mental health works.
This option is well suited to schools that want to support general wellbeing of all students within individual classes or throughout the school. It is particularly well suited to schools that want to help students to develop their resilience and ability to take care of their own mental health but do not have sufficient staff time or expertise. It can be used as effectively in class with teachers as at home with parental carers.
The program was developed by psychologists for school students. It uses simple languages, high quality material and imagery and is supported by many high profile role models such as England footballer Marcus Rashford and Olympic hockey player Helen Richardson-Walsh.
For more details: click here