Editorials

School league tables ‘should show well-being’

16 October 2016

By Lauren E. White

School league tables often cause controversy among teachers and government ‘experts’ but the latest suggestion is that league tables should include measures on student well-being.

Sir Anthony Seldon, a university head, former head teacher and mental health campaigner, argues that this move could help to tackle the “epidemic of mental health [problems]”.

The way in which schools would be measured could include comparing the resources used in pastoral care, such as staffing and support services, and surveying a sample of pupils to see their views on school life.

“As long as the only metric on which schools are being assessed is their exam performance, our schools will never have the incentive to take well-being as seriously as they should,” said Sir Anthony.

It’s fair to say that he puts forward a convincing case. There is a real issue with mental health, especially young people’s, in this country and right now – as nothing seems to be happening about it – any suggestion is welcome.

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