‘Part of who we are as a school should include responsibility for well-being’: Links between the school environment, mental health and behaviour

A child-friendly school encourages tolerance and equality between boys and girls and different ethnic, religious and social groups. It promotes active involvement and co-operation, avoids the use of physical punishment and does not tolerate bullying. It is also a supportive and nurturing environment; providing education which responds to the reality of the children’s lives. Finally it helps to establish connections between school and family life, encourages creativity as well as academic abilities, and promotes the self-esteem and self-confi dence of children.