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Policy@Manchester Articles: Education
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Article image. Outdoor, group of students with female teacher sitting on grass

The right prescription? Young people, mental health and social prescribing

Author headshot By Caroline Bond and Ruth Farrimond-Goff Filed Under: All posts, Education, Health and Social Care Posted: March 19, 2025

The mental health and wellbeing of children and young people is a growing concern amongst policymakers and practitioners, with recent data from the World Health Organisation suggesting that one in seven young people globally aged 10-19 years, experience a diagnosable mental health condition. In this article, Ruth Farrimond-Goff and Professor Caroline Bond examine the implications […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, schools, wellbeing, Youth mental health

Four children in white t-shirt uniforms are smiling and running

Transforming children and young people’s futures through PE, school sport, and physical activity

Sarah MacQuarrieAlexandra Hennessey author headshot By Sarah MacQuarrie and Alexandra Hennessey Filed Under: All posts, Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted: February 12, 2025

Today’s children and young people encounter multifaceted challenges, including mental health concerns, reduced physical activity, and persistent inequities in access to sports. As the post-pandemic landscape reshapes our society, physical education (PE), school sports, and physical activity (PESSPA) emerge as critical tools in fostering healthier, happier, and more resilient children and young people. In this […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, Health & Social Care, Health inequalities, loneliness, mental health, sport

People walking on lord street in Southport, Merseyside in front of the historic wayfarers shopping arcade

Addressing the UK’s heritage skills crisis: why we must act now

Headshot of Eric Lybeck By Eric Lybeck Filed Under: All posts, Education, Urban Posted: January 23, 2025

In 2019, the world watched as flames consumed the Notre Dame Cathedral, an irreplaceable cultural treasure. Yet, against all odds, the cathedral is poised to reopen this year, a testament to extraordinary skill and determination. In stark contrast UK restoration projects can take decades – or fail to materialise in favour of demolition. In this […]

Tagged With: Arts & Culture, climate change, education, SALC, urban

School absence article image, young girl wit a backpack

Attending to absence: how can we improve outcomes for disadvantaged children?

By Caroline Bond Filed Under: All posts, Education Posted: December 16, 2024

Poverty and disadvantage have considerable effects on children and young people. For many young people multiple aspects of disadvantage affect their lives and increase the risk of negative outcomes. In the UK, austerity, funding cuts and Covid-19 have contributed to increasing levels of poverty and disproportionately affected disadvantaged children. In this article, Professor Caroline Bond […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, education, government, inequalities, inequality, schools

Closeup of stressed teenage girl talking to mental health therapist in session

Social and Emotional Learning for Every Child: Why SEL Matters

By Ola Demkowicz, Suzanne Hamilton, Lauren Burke and Annie O'Brien Filed Under: Education, Health and Care Posted: November 6, 2024

As concerns surrounding children’s mental health continue to grow, the role schools can play in supporting children’s mental health is receiving more attention. Universal, school-based interventions known as  “Social and emotional learning” (SEL) interventions, delivered to all children, are a cost-effective and non-stigmatising approach to supporting wellbeing and healthy child development. These interventions aim to […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, education, Health & Social Care, MIE, schools, SEED, Youth mental health

Article image - teacher pointing at schoolchildren

Re-professionalising teaching: addressing authorisation, accountability and attrition

Andrew Howes By Louisa Dawes and Andrew Howes Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Education Posted: September 30, 2024

Teacher recruitment and retention is currently in a critical state – as outlined by The National Foundation for Educational Research’s (NFER) 2024 report on the teacher labour market in England. This puts at risk the quality of education that children and young people receive. In this article, Andrew Howes and Louisa Dawes acknowledge the Labour […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, education, government, schools

Several women practicing football on a grass field

Creating SPACES for young people’s wellbeing

Stephanie RaySamuel Hugh-Jones By Neil Humphrey, Stephanie Ray and Samuel Hugh-Jones Filed Under: Education, Health and Care, Health and Social Care Posted: September 12, 2024

Adolescent wellbeing is a predictor of school attainment, adult mental health, relationships, and socioeconomic outcomes. However, the wellbeing of young people in the UK has significantly decreased in the last two decades. Current research into creative health has found increasingly positive links between supporting participation in arts, culture, entertainment,and sports (SPACES) and young people’s wellbeing. […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, Greater Manchester, Health & Social Care, Health inequalities, inequalities, local government, loneliness, mental health, schools, sport

School pupils entering a school building

All present and correct? Alternative provision and school attendance

By Caroline Bond Filed Under: All posts, Education Posted: July 15, 2024

Improving school attendance is a key priority for schools, education policymakers and local authorities, as regular school attendance is widely recognised as a key component of learning and educational achievement. Despite this, rates of persistent school absence have increased considerably since the COVID-19 pandemic, with no signs of returning to pre-pandemic levels. In this article, […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, education

Group of schoolchildren - article image

Wellbeing in education settings – listening to children and young people

Alexandra Hennessey author headshotKirsty Pert By Ola Demkowicz, Alexandra Hennessey and Kirsty Pert Filed Under: All posts, Education Posted: February 29, 2024

The role of education settings in promoting good wellbeing and mental health among children and young people has been increasingly formalised in national policy. But often the voices of the key stakeholders – children and young people – are not adequately sought, heard, or given due weight. In this article, Dr Ola Demkowicz, Dr Alexandra […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, education, mental health, schools, wellbeing

Article image - young people

Mapping pathways to learning

Claire Forbes author image By Claire Forbes Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Cities and Environment, Education, Levelling up Posted: December 7, 2023

How to raise educational outcomes and solve the entrenched attainment gaps between more and less affluent young people has long been a policy concern of successive governments. As the current government moves away from place-based approaches and towards curricular reform to address these gaps, Dr Claire Forbes will suggest that more needs to be done […]

Tagged With: Children & Young People, communities, education, inequalities, schools

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