The Wellbeing Quality Mark (WQM) is based on published material by Cathal Lynch; ‘Building Belonging: A systematic approach to school improvement and emotional wellbeing’.
It draws on a wide range of research to produce a framework for running effective schools where the wellbeing of staff and pupils is supported alongside academic attainment. It uses deliberate practice to build a mental model for leaders that is effective in helping schools improve recruitment and retention by demonstrating a commitment to wellbeing and building trust among stakeholders. It also supports the early identification of SEN pupils, teaching, learning and behaviour.

Surveys of pupils, parents and staff help ensure leaders are clear on the views of the community, which helps build trust. Trust is a vital resource to drive school improvement which is more important than ever given the acute recruitment and retention crisis in schools and colleges.

In order to be competitive in the staffing market schools need to be able to differentiate themselves by demonstrating a meaningful commitment to wellbeing, however it is impossible to consider wellbeing without thinking about everyday practice in schools including the quality of teaching and learning. Consequently, the award includes a firm focus on a wide range of improvement areas including classroom practice and effective learning approaches. These areas are broken down into 7 overarching framing principles;