How Putting Wellbeing First Transformed a School

What happens when schools put the wellbeing of children and staff at the heart of education, rather than treating it as something separate from learning?
In this episode of Between Two Psychs, I’m joined by Andy Mellor, author of The Wellbeing Effect and National Wellbeing Director for Schools Advisory Service, to explore how a different approach to school improvement can transform outcomes for children, teachers and whole school communities.
Drawing on his experience as a headteacher in Blackpool, Andy shares how his school moved from a Requires Improvement judgement to Outstanding by focusing on what children and teachers actually needed, rather than simply following conventional approaches to school improvement. We discuss why context matters, how wellbeing connects to attainment, and why doing what is right for your school should come before doing things purely for inspection.
We also explore what it means to empower teachers as professionals. Andy explains how giving teachers the freedom to use their own skills, creativity and understanding of their pupils can create more meaningful learning experiences.
The conversation then turns to inclusion, SEND and the importance of creating a culture where children feel safe to acknowledge what they find difficult. Andy shares practical examples of how teachers can identify learning needs in the moment, provide timely support and help children develop confidence, resilience and a belief in their ability to improve.
Finally, we discuss the growing pressure on headteachers and school staff, the impact of accountability on wellbeing, and why protecting staff time and knowing when to stop are essential.
In This Episode, We Explore
• How putting wellbeing at the heart of education can transform school outcomes
• Andy’s journey from Requires Improvement to Outstanding in a challenging school context
• Why school improvement needs to reflect the needs of individual children and communities
• The importance of relationships, teacher autonomy and professional creativity
• Moving beyond delivering curriculum content to developing genuine understanding
• Practical classroom strategies to help children communicate how they are finding their learning
• Supporting children with SEND by identifying difficulties and intervening in the moment
• The learning pit, growth mindset and helping children understand that mistakes are part of learning
• Creating a school culture where vulnerability, challenge and mistakes are accepted
• The impact of accountability and inspection pressures on headteacher and staff wellbeing
🎧 Listen now for a thoughtful and practical conversation about wellbeing, relationships, inclusion and school improvement, and why creating better conditions for children to learn starts with creating better conditions for the people who teach them.
Andy is also the author of The Wellbeing Effect: How Prioritising Whole-School Wellbeing Can Boost Achievement and Help Your School to Thrive. The Wellbeing Effect (crownhousepublishing.com/the-wellbeing-effect)
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If you have questions about the service or would like to engage directly, please contact Matheos Maneli.Public Sector Executive Recruitment (nextlinkconsort.co.uk)
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Connect with Me (Dr Adam McCartney)
Instagram: @‌dradammcartney (instagram.com/dradammcartney)
Website: dradammccartney.com
YouTube: @‌Dr.AdamMcCartney (youtube.com/@Dr.AdamMcCartney)
Connect with Andy Mellor
Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/andy-mellor-763645263
Website: schooladvice.co.uk