Wellbeing is a very high profile topic in education. Sir Anthony Seldon at Wellington College was thought to be quirky when he introduced structured study of the subject, The
national papers dubbed the lessons as “happiness lessons”. Now many schools are positively engaging with the concept.
We developed our Learning4Life programme at Westbourne House six years ago. It is a combination of good citizenship and the practical application of strategies to encourage wellbeing.
Learning4Life is based on the five strands of well-being:
- Health in body and mind
- Good relationships
- Recognising your strengths
- Having purpose and meaning
- Having perspective
Many aspects of our school reflect these five strands. Each session of Learning4Life focuses on one or two of the strands. The best way to describe the way it works is to give
some examples specific sessions and how they relate to pupils’ well-being.
- To encourage strong relationships In Year 4 there has been a set of lessons called “The Emotional Thermometer”, encouraging the children to recognise how different situations affect different people in different ways.
- To encourage health in body and mind Years 4,5 and 6 have had mindfulness lessons. In Year 4 this is a weekly focus and there are listening walks on Tuesday break times for all (staff included).
- To encourage children to recognise their strengths in Years 5 to 8 we ask them to imagine that they are their own tutor and record the highlights of the term in an imaginary tutor report.
- In terms of perspective the children are given a look at the lives of others. The unit “Outside In” for example, looks at art created by untrained artists who have had major challenges in their lives such as; depression, prison sentences and addictions.
- The Learning4life sessions are used as forums to discuss issues for school council. The form session is organised by the School Council Rep and minuted by the Form Captain. The projects discussed are often actioned, giving them purpose and meaning.
Many skills and strategies are offered to cope with demands of an increasingly busy 21st century. The delivery of the sessions gives opportunities for group work, form team-
building and presentation skills. Currently Learning4Life operates once a week in Years 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8. Year 3 will be up and running in September.
Westbourne House has led the way in this field, and many schools have visited to witness good practice, having learned about our Learning4Life program through conferences I speak at as Pastoral Adviser for the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS).
