Eurochild’s role in EEA working group on schools: Pathways to School Success

A blog by Ally Dunhill, Eurochild Director of Policy, Advocacy and Communications, on the EEA Working Group on Schools - Pathways to School Success plenary and working group meeting in Brussels of the 10 and 11 October.

Eurochild is a member of the European Commission's expert group that focuses on creating supportive learning environments for vulnerable learners and promoting well-being and mental health in schools.

The two-day event provided an opportunity for in-depth discussions on enhancing educational outcomes and student well-being across Europe. It began with a joint session with the Working Group on Equalities and Values in Education, emphasising the importance of inclusive education systems. A series of factsheets have been produced, outlining a "whole-system, whole-school approach" to well-being and mental health.

Elżbieta Neroj, Director of Inclusive Education from Poland’s Ministry of National Education, gave an overview of the Polish Presidency's upcoming High Quality Inclusive Education conference, which will take place in Warsaw on March 17-18, 2025.

Over the two days, we explored how to promote and implement the Supporting Well-being at School guidelines, designed to improve academic success, mental health, emotional security, and social inclusion. These guidelines could reduce child poverty and social exclusion if implemented effectively. Discussions also touched on the teaching, learning and assessment methods, the role of the teacher, school leadership and child participation. All of these factors have an impact on a child’s well-being.

Notable presentations include:

• Zsuzsa Blaskó on special educational needs (SEN) and non-physical vulnerabilities.
• Lilia Vicente’s case study on the Happy School Leadership Programme in Portugal.
• Dr Noémie Le Donné’s insights from the OECD’s social and emotional skills survey.
• Claire Bey and Thomas Arbouet’s, Ministry of National Education, case study on health-promoting schools in France.

We focused on future priorities, reflecting on shared goals for 2025 and beyond. Discussions highlighted key areas such as supporting the skills and knowledge teachers need to support the well-being of learners and teachers’ well-being.

Key Takeaways

• Roadmap for School Success: Now finalised, it provides a solid foundation for more equitable education across Member States.
• Well-being Guidelines: Emphasis was placed on effective implementation to foster student well-being throughout EU schools.
• Peer Learning Activity (PLA) in France: Eurochild member Haki Za Wanatsa - UNCRC Collective will attend this upcoming PLA on well-being in France in November.

Looking Forward

Both learner success and well-being will remain central to the efforts of this working group. The roadmap and Well-being Guidelines offer a clear path forward, but the real challenge will be turning these initiatives into tangible improvements in children's lives across the EU.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous call for continued engagement and a new working group cycle for 2026-2030. I left the meeting optimistic about our direction and eager to continue contributing to building more just, inclusive, and impactful schools across Europe.

A big thank you to DG EAC and all participants - Eurochild looks forward to our continued collaboration!