Why is Well-Being in Schools so Important?

More emphasis is being placed on the emotional and physical well-being of teachers and school staff than ever before. It goes without saying that happy teachers equal happy children, making good progress academically and personally. 

Well-being is a general term which relates to the way people live their lives including work, home, and their personal relationships. Although many factors determine an individual’s well-being, most research suggests that managers (or Head Teachers in the case of schools) can directly influence their employee’s mental health. 

Created by Abraham Maslow in 1943, the hierarchy of needs suggests that if our basic needs are met, then we can fulfil all other areas. With the foundations of a healthy body and mind, teachers and school staff will be able to achieve positive self-actualisation and self-esteem. Head teachers who support the well-being agenda of their staff will therefore benefit from a positive workplace culture and a high performing school.

If school leaders choose to be governed by Oftsed’s education inspection framework then it is important that they take note of the requirements of staff well-being as a key performance indicator in the school’s quest to achieve a grade of outstanding.

Leadership and Management School Inspection Handbook 

Outstanding Leadership and Management

Page 77. Section 277.

In order for the leadership and management of a school to be judged outstanding, it must meet all the good criteria securely and consistently, and it must also meet the additional outstanding criteria (below):

Outstanding

· Leaders ensure that highly effective and meaningful engagement takes place with staff at all levels and that issues are identified. When issues are identified, in particular about workload, they are consistently dealt with appropriately and quickly. 

· Staff consistently report high levels of support for well-being issues.