The joint DCSF and Ofsted consultation on well-being proposes using parents' and pupils' views to measure how well all maintained primary and secondary schools are doing on a range of issues, including promoting healthy eating and exercise, providing varied extra activities and discouraging drug and alcohol use.
The aim is 'to develop school-level indicators to improve the information available to schools to help them assess the well-being issues that pupils face and to evaluate the school's contribution to promoting pupil well-being.'
The consultation proposes two kinds of school-level indicator, based on the views of pupils and parents, relating to the Every Child Matters outcomes and the school's contribution to them.
The charity Action for Children has highlighted the importance of emotional well-being in enabling children to realise their full potential in life, through its Growing Strong campaign.
Clare Tickell, chief executive of Action for Children, said, 'Developing qualities such as self-confidence and resilience equips a child with the emotional skills and inner belief to make the most of opportunities, and overcome any challenges that they may have in the future.
'The launch of this consultation reflects the vital role that teachers play in this area. However, it is essential that they are supported in developing a clearer understanding of what emotional wellbeing is and why it is important. We will be raising this issue in our own response to this consultation.'
FURTHER INFORMATION
Respond to the consultation, 'Indicators of a School's Contribution to Well-being' at www.ofsted.gov.uk/ofsted-home/consultations by 16 January 2009.
