Every child and young person, regardless of their background, must be able to achieve and thrive, particularly at school, to develop the knowledge and skills they need for life. Thriving centres on both feeling good (having a high subjective wellbeing and a positive sense of belonging), and doing well (having a positive sense of accomplishment, autonomy, and physical and mental health). Other areas of research interest regarding this pillar of the Opportunity Mission span; attainment; SEND; attendance; school belonging and engagement; and enrichment activities and childcare for school- aged children. (For brevity, please read all references to children as encompassing both children and young people where appropriate.)
Full details can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/department-for-education-areas-of-research-interest
Get in touch with research.engagement@education.gov.uk
Growing evidence of the prevalence of poor mental health among children and young people in the UK has led to this issue becoming a key policy priority. Recent Government reports and policy programmes have particularly e...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: NatCen Social Research
Addresses the influence of mental health on educational attainment and factors mediating the association.
Background The Chief Medical Officer for England's Annual Reports 2012 and 2013 acknowledged the importance of promotion of mental health in young people, rather than focusing on mental health problems. One conceptualisa...
Funded by: SPF
Lead research organisation: University College London
Focuses on enhancing mental health competence in young people, which is related to the broader question of improving student mental health and wellbeing.
The integration of health and education policy and practice, with a specific focus on the role of schools in mental health education and preventative intervention, is of major topical concern. There is strong support in ...
Funded by: ESRC
Lead research organisation: University of Brighton
Explores whole-system intervention to improve mental health through schools, aligning with the question on whole school approaches to student mental health.