Wellbeing should be timetabled alongside English and maths, study suggests

Wellbeing should be timetabled alongside English and maths, a study by Nuffield Health suggests. 

It comes following a two-year pilot scheme in which a dedicated member of staff was assigned to teach children about mental health and wellbeing at an Oxfordshire secondary school. 

The results suggested the role traditionally fulfilled by the matron in British schools could soon be filled by "Heads of Wellness". 

And Robert Shadbolt, headteacher at the guinea pig Wood Green Secondary School, said the programme had been such a success that wellbeing would now be timetabled and added into its curriculum. 

The study found that 11 year-groups reported an improvement in energy levels, in feeling relaxed and in their ability to deal with problems.

It also saw a 48 percent rise in average fruit consumption and a 59 percent rise in the average vegetable consumption. 

Among staff, teachers showed "a significant increase" on a scale used to measure wellbeing as well as a rise in average fruit and veg consumption - up seven percent and 13 percent respectively.  

The health provider is now offering a free-of-charge six-week programme to be used in schools across the country, which includes guidance for children on what they should eat, how often they should exercise and how much 'screen time' they should have. 

The scheme saw a Head of Wellbeing installed at Wood Green School in Witney, Oxfordshire. 

Davina Deniszczyc, Nuffield Health Medical Director said: “There is a gap in the provision of wellbeing support in schools that urgently needs addressing.”