In this podcast series we are exploring all things EYFS and primary with different topics and special guests each fortnight. 

In this episode, we are joined by Andrew Cowley. Andrew is a former Primary School DHT who has a commitment to and a passion for wellbeing for children and for school staff. Believing wellbeing to be a strategic consideration as well as a life skill, Andrew co-founded @HealthyToolkit and wrote the accompanying blog, has blogged for Education Support Partnership and BBC Teach. More recently Andrew has been published by Bloomsbury Education: The Wellbeing Toolkit (2019) supports wellbeing for staff and The Wellbeing Curriculum (2021) proposes a broadly defined approach to wellbeing and character development in the primary school.

In this episode we discussed creating a Wellbeing Culture in schools. 

Here are some of the questions I asked Andrew:

• Could you tell us about your wellbeing books?
• Could you tell us a bit about the Healthy Toolkit- what it is and how it all started?
• How would you define wellbeing?
• You mentioned before that wellbeing can be seen as an 'add on' can you explain what you meant by this?
• How can schools create a culture of wellbeing for all staff?
• How can school staff support pupils with their wellbeing and what do you think they should be teaching pupils about wellbeing?
• What are the issues that most negatively impact on staff wellbeing?
• What has been the impact of COVID on wellbeing? Do you feel this has increased awareness of the importance of supporting wellbeing?
•  Where can people find more information and support?

 You can follow Andrew on Twitter at @andrew_cowley23