The role of emotional wellbeing in academic success

Emotional wellbeing is a must-have for academic success. 

It's useful to look at research like this study from the Childhood Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of London. It shows how students' feelings, behaviour and friendships play a huge role in how well they do in school.  

Essentially, it tells us that when students feel better, they do better (as we see every day!). They're more involved and achieve more academically.  

This is exactly why at OCEM, we focus so much on creating a supportive environment. We know that students, especially those with challenges like ADHD and ASD, need a place where they can really feel understood—not just squeezed into the usual way of doing things. 

Here’s a real-life success story, showcasing the impact of a more tailored approach to education, particularly for SEMH students.  

A personalised path to learning success  

We know some schools do their best, but sometimes, a student needs a bit more tailored help to really thrive. This is where a story like ours comes into play, highlighting the importance of adaptability in education. 

This student's mum, who’s incredibly supportive and deeply involved, was searching for a way to make education work better for her child. That's when OCEM came into the picture with a plan tailored just for them. 

One of our trained and experienced tutors started visiting their home, the place where the student felt most at ease. In the beginning, it was a bit of a challenge. The student was shy and hesitant about the whole thing (understandable, as all types of change can be difficult!).  

But we believe in meeting each student exactly where they're at, not just in terms of location, but also emotionally and mentally. We started with short learning sessions. As we built trust and the student started feeling more comfortable, those sessions gradually got longer and more productive. This approach helped us connect and make learning a positive experience. 

Boosting confidence and academic skills together 

As trust grew, we hit a milestone: the student started joining us for sessions at the local library.  

From this small win, things started to pick up. They began to join small groups, which was a bit tough at first but turned out to be a big step forward. These group sessions not only improved their social skills but also played a big role in boosting their emotional wellbeing. 

As the student became more socially and emotionally confident, we saw a great leap in their academic skills too. This growth led to the student successfully moving to a specialist school that offered just the right kind of structured support they needed. This shift transformed their educational experience and helped them really flourish in a setting that fit their needs perfectly. 

Pushing educational limits  

This student's leap to a specialist school helped him find a place where he could fully express and engage himself, academically and socially. It’s moments like these that drive us at OCEM to keep pushing the boundaries of what educational support can look like. 

Our commitment goes beyond traditional tutoring. Our bespoke programmes designed to cater to the unique needs of each SEMH student. These programs focus not only on academics but also on building emotional resilience and social skills, essential for true learning and development! 

How can you get involved? 

If you're part of a school, a local authority or any educational organisation, partnering with OCEM can bring our specialised support to more students who need it. Or perhaps you want to be a tutor. Tutoring with us is a chance to see firsthand the impact of bespoke education support. 

Sometimes, the simplest way to help is by raising awareness. Talk about the importance of emotional wellbeing in education within your community, share our stories and let others know how they can contribute. 

By getting involved, you become part of a community that values every student's potential and works tirelessly to ensure they have the tools and support to succeed.  

Ready to make a real difference?  

Reach out today! Whether you want to mentor, partner or just chat about our mission, we’d love to hear from you.  

Connect with us on Linkedin, call 0333 77 22 493 or email info@ocem.org.uk.