'Fear of failure' giving UK children lowest happiness levels in Europe

The recent Good Childhood Report found that more than a third of UK 15-year-olds scored ‘low’ in their childhood happiness study. A Guardian article shared the findings, which concluded that children the UK have the lowest levels of life satisfaction across Europe, with “a particularly British fear of failure” partly to blame.

Lucy Stephens, Founder and Co-Headteacher of The New School said, “Children in the UK report some of the lowest scores on measures of happiness and life satisfaction in Europe.  This is a shocking statistic, particularly when some of the reasons include school, friends, and a sense of purpose.  The outcomes framework within education today, is directly responsible for these scores.  A lack of joined up pastoral support; behaviour policies that demand obedience over conflict resolution skills, listening and empathy; an outcomes framework that marginalises too many young people, particularly black children and those with additional needs; and an adult lens that believes that young people cannot be trusted with their educational decisions. In this era of outcomes and metrics, we have to find a different way to hold schools and government accountable and in doing so centre young people's voice and prioritise a strong sense of self-identity and mental wellness.“

”The outcomes framework we have developed at The New School measures these outcomes.  Our whole model holds us accountable to young people leaving our school with a sense of purpose, goals, and the skills and competencies needed to achieve those goals.  It is true that we treasure what we measure - to support the next generation to live healthy, happy, fulfilled lives that contribute to lasting social change, we need to rapidly take a different path and take action on the institutional barriers we have created within education today.”

Untitled design-17.png

To learn more about the principles of The New School, click here.

Thought piecesHannah Mulvanyeducation reform, democratic education, uk education, education, self directed learning, uk education reform, progressive education, mental health, kids mental health, children mental health, children's mental health, childhood development, uk school, uk secondary schools, uk schools, new school, schools, UK teaching, uk kids, uk teachers, uk primary schools, teenagers, teenage yearsComment