School climate and student wellbeing

When we think about what makes students feel well at school, it is easy to think about what happens inside the student: motivation, self-esteem, stress or the ability to handle emotions.

But what if part of the answer also lies around the student?

What does research say about school climate and student wellbeing?

School climate is about what it is like to be a student at a school. It concerns relationships, safety, belonging, rules and norms – but also how teaching and the demands of school are experienced.

A systematic review of 48 studies shows a clear pattern: students who experience their school climate as more positive also tend to have better wellbeing. Relationships with teachers and other students appear to be particularly important, as do a sense of safety and of belonging at school.

That does not mean a good school automatically makes every student feel well. Students' wellbeing is affected by many things, both inside and outside school. Research shows that the school's social environment is linked to how students feel – and that it comes down to fairly concrete things.

A student who feels that a teacher cares about her.

A student who knows what applies and experiences that rules are applied fairly.

A student who feels she belongs in the class.

A student who dares to raise her hand without being afraid of embarrassing herself.

These may sound like small things. But together they create something larger: an environment where it is easier to feel safe, involved and motivated.

Research on classroom climate points in the same direction. A meta-analysis of 61 studies, with almost 74,000 students, found that a positive classroom climate was associated with motivation, engagement, social competence and school performance, among other things – and with less emotional stress and fewer behavioural problems.

School climate as health-promoting work

This offers an important thought about the school's work with mental health. Beyond teaching students to handle stress, emotions and setbacks, schools can create environments where students have less of this to handle unnecessarily.

Environments where adults are predictable and students feel seen. Environments with clear boundaries where it is possible to be different. Where you can make mistakes without losing your place in the group.

Then school climate becomes part of the school's health-promoting work. School climate is the sum of many everyday experiences, and that is why it is so hard to put into a programme.

What kind of environment do students meet every day? That is a question a school can examine, and do something about.

What does research say about school climate and student wellbeing?​

School climate as health-promoting work​

Further reading​

What does research say about school climate and student wellbeing?

School climate as health-promoting work

Further reading