Student-teacher relationships greatly influence student wellbeing , particularly for at-risk students .
Initiatives that foster close social relationships
Above : Sevenoaks students quickly find a sense of belonging as part of a tutor group , a year group , a section and a school .
Above right : Catching up during tutor time .
Warm , caring relationships at school are strongly associated with happiness and life satisfaction for students across ages and cultures . Strong social relationships can also act as a buffer against mental and physical health issues as they have been linked with better immune system health , higher levels of self-esteem , less depression , less social anxiety , and a lower risk of suicide and self-harm .
Fostering caring relationships with teachers is fundamental to student learning and wellbeing . Studies across countries suggest that the quality of teachers is the single most important school factor impacting academic achievement , and relationships with teachers greatly influence student wellbeing . Training teachers in socialemotional skills , such as supportive listening and validating emotions , can support teacher-student relationships .
Student-teacher relationships greatly influence student wellbeing , particularly for at-risk students .
Likewise , interventions that support peer relationships among primary and secondary school students have found positive effects on students ’ socialemotional skills , including emotional regulation , self-concept , coping skills , and prosocial behaviour . Inversely , loneliness and bullying in adolescents are associated with adverse mental health outcomes and even suicide . Monitoring students ’ selfreported experiences with peer relationships at school can provide insights into which students may be at-risk of isolation and loneliness so that schools can provide them with targeted support .
Case study : Student mentoring at Sevenoaks School
Strong social connections are forged between students across different year groups .
A weekly mentoring programme involves pairs of Lower Sixth students trained in supportive listening visiting Lower School tutor groups .
This provides the opportunity for students in Year 7 and 8 to engage and learn from their peers . The older students run a mentoring course focused on character and mindset which they have specially developed themselves .
“ As a Year 7 , I found having the Sixth Formers coming in every Saturday incredibly useful and fun . They ’ ve answered all my questions about the school and have helped me develop my interests in the Lower School .
They also make every Saturday a super fun experience , from going outside and playing games to taking mindfulness and wellness sessions . Every Saturday , I come into school , excited to see what we ’ ll be doing in tutor group next !”
Sevenoaks School student , Year 7
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