Wellbeing Census 2025/26 Registration

The 2026 Wellbeing Census for Birmingham Schools

‘Emotional or Mental wellbeing’ describes a way of looking at mental health from a non-psychiatric strengths-focused perspective and is endorsed in the World Health Organisation definition of mental health as “…not simply the absence of mental illness, but the fostering of wellbeing to enable thriving individuals and populations” (WHO, 2022). Mental wellbeing may thus better represent emotional health status beyond more narrow thresholds defined by mental disorders (Thapar, Stewart-Brown, & Harold, 2021).

A large-scale mental wellbeing census was conducted in Birmingham schools during the summer term of 2025 capturing data from nearly 16,000 pupils between the ages of 7-18 years across 50 schools. Pupils complete the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales (SWEMWEBS) (Tennant et al., 2007) in secondary schools and the Stirling Children’s Wellbeing Scale (SCWBS) (Liddle & Carter, 2015) in primary schools. Higher scores on both measures indicate better mental wellbeing – both are validated and reliable instruments.  We also collect data on school connectedness (including Ofsted criteria around pupil belonging and enjoyment) and other drivers of wellbeing.  Data is also broken down into demographic groups (including underserved groups such as SEND, persistent absentees and those on free school meals) and presented to schools in their own personalised dashboard.  Schools can then use this data alongside evidence-based guidance and resources to promote improve and support pupil wellbeing.  You can see all our measures and  results from previous years in the documents at the end of this page.