More than grades: Why children’s wellbeing data matters
3 April 2025, 9:00 am – 12 April 2025, 10:00 am
Location: 18 Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ
Think tank: Pro Bono Economics
This event hosted by UK think tank Pro Bono Economics will explore how a national approach to children’s wellbeing can drive meaningful change.
How can we better understand and support children’s wellbeing?
Children’s wellbeing in the UK is in crisis. Young people here report the lowest life satisfaction in Europe, and the latest PISA data (2022) ranks the UK 70th out of 73 countries for young people’s wellbeing. This is not just concerning—it’s a national emergency.
Addressing this issue isn’t just a moral imperative; it’s economically beneficial. According to HM Treasury methodologies, closing the wellbeing gap between UK secondary school children and their peers in the Netherlands could generate an estimated £82 billion in wellbeing benefits annually.
A robust, national approach to wellbeing measurement can provide the insights needed to shape policies that genuinely improve young people’s lives. By bringing together experts, educators, policymakers, and charities, we can explore how to make children’s wellbeing a priority across government and society.
Join PBE, in partnership with the Our Wellbeing Our Voice campaign, to explore how a national approach to children’s wellbeing can drive meaningful change, improving outcomes for young people across the country.
Speakers
Speakers include:
Branwen Jeffries – Education Editor, BBC News (Chair)
Munira Wilson – Member of Parliament for Twickenham and the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Education.
Sue Watmough – Head Teacher, Manchester Communication Academy
Professor Neil Humphrey – Professor of Psychology of Education, University of Manchester
More speakers to be announced
