Academic success and wellbeing are too often treated as competing priorities - but what if one simply can't exist without the other? In this week's View from the Top, Francesca Milling, head of Lancing Prep Worthing, argues that the happiest, healthiest schools are those that place wellbeing at the very centre of everything they do. Read on to discover why she believes it should be the heartbeat of every school.
“Wellbeing is not an add-on; it is the foundation upon which everything else is built.”
Research consistently shows that when children and young people feel happy, safe and supported, they learn more effectively and engage more deeply. Large-scale studies demonstrate that emotional and social wellbeing is one of the strongest predictors of learning readiness, academic progress and positive behaviour. When schools place wellbeing at the centre of their culture, the benefits reach far beyond test scores: improved mental health, stronger motivation, healthier relationships and a sense of belonging that can last a lifetime.
Crucially, wellbeing should extend beyond pupils to include teachers and support staff. A thriving classroom begins with a thriving adult. When educators feel valued, supported and equipped, the ripple effect is immediate—calmer environments, greater creativity and stronger connections. When wellbeing becomes the heartbeat of education, we create spaces where every member of the community can grow, learn and truly flourish.
Many schools, including those in The Lancing College Family of Schools, embed wellbeing into their values, weaving it into daily school life and recognising that children learn best when they feel secure, encouraged and inspired. This might be through emotional literacy programmes, opportunities for reflection, outdoor learning, creative expression and regular physical activity. Their approach reflects a wider movement across education: cultivating kindness, fostering a love of learning and preparing young people to contribute positively to the world.
Staff training helps ensure that signs of anxiety or stress are spotted early, enabling timely, sensitive support. By nurturing emotional resilience, schools equip pupils with the tools they need to navigate challenges both inside and outside the classroom.
At Lancing Prep Worthing, we are grounded in the values Love Learning, Be Kind and Go Out into the World and Do Good, the school nurtures academic excellence through an environment where children feel supported and encouraged to be their best selves.
Academic achievement matters, but never at the expense of happiness. When wellbeing is prioritised, children not only achieve more but also develop confidence, curiosity and a lifelong love of learning. In truly caring school communities, wellbeing is not a standalone initiative; it is the heartbeat that keeps every other part of education thriving.