This post is based on an article by Richard Adams for the Guardian, you can read his report in detail here.
In a powerful call for change, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is urging schools in England to expand their focus beyond top exam results to prioritise students’ wellbeing. Speaking to school leaders in Birmingham, Phillipson stressed that academic success, while valuable, is not enough on its own to ensure young people lead happy, healthy lives.
“Exam results open doors,” Phillipson acknowledged, “but A*s alone do not set young people up for a healthy and happy life.” She encouraged schools to foster a sense of belonging, which could help address rising absenteeism and the needs of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). “If we want children to feel empowered, they need to feel they belong,” she explained.
Phillipson’s vision includes a broader curriculum, promoting subjects like music, art, sport, and drama alongside core studies. This balanced approach aims to develop well-rounded students, allowing them to explore their interests and talents beyond traditional academics.
This fresh perspective also ties into upcoming changes, such as a proposed wellbeing bill and a review of the curriculum. As Phillipson noted, “Standards will always matter, but they must serve the best interests of children.” By integrating wellbeing into the education system, schools could help shape resilient, confident young adults prepared for more than just exams.
In the wider context, Phillipson also expressed concern for disadvantaged students facing barriers to higher education, especially with tuition fees set to rise. Her approach aims to open up diverse pathways to success, ensuring that academic excellence is inclusive, accessible, and beneficial for every child.
This evolving vision sets out to make schools places where young people thrive not only academically but personally, preparing them for a fulfilled and empowered future.
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Sources: Phillipson to ask schools to end exam ‘tunnel vision’ and look to wellbeing | Schools | The Guardian
NEWS: Schools Urged to Prioritise Wellbeing Over Grades | Edexec
