Your library of resources

Valley Park was the first school to ever use youHQ. Four years on, we went back to sit in classrooms, listen to students, and learn what it really takes to make wellbeing part of everyday school life. Here's what we found.

We've always known that childhood experiences shape who we become. But a 2026 study from Guangzhou University reveals something more precise: it's not just what happens to young people, but when it happens and what kind of adversity it is, that shapes how it gets written into their biology. Researchers studied 128 young adults using brain imaging and inflammatory markers, looking separately at abuse and neglect experienced during early childhood (ages 0-11) versus adolescence

ISI inspectors expect independent schools to actively promote wellbeing - not just respond to it. Learn how boarding and independent schools use youHQ to meet the Children Act duty with confidence.

The 2025 SEND Review has raised Ofsted's expectations significantly. It is no longer enough to support pupils well. Schools need to be able to show it, systematically, and at short notice.

After writing about saunas and car journeys, I started paying closer attention to where the best conversations in my life actually happen. Not where I expect them to. Not sitting opposite somebody with a coffee. They happen while moving. Walking the dog. Running with a friend. Playing golf. It turns out this isn't a coincidence. There is a deep biological reason why moving together brings people closer, and it has been shaping human connection for hundreds of thousands of yea

The Zones of Regulation gives children a shared language for how they feel — but a colourful display alone isn't enough. Here's what meaningful implementation actually looks like, and why it matters for whole-school wellbeing.

At the COBIS 2026 Annual Conference, one message came through clearly: international schools are not facing a temporary wellbeing challenge. The landscape has fundamentally changed. Constant transitions, hidden grief, digital pressures, and overloaded systems are reshaping what staff and students need.

Uncertainty is not a new visitor to education — but that doesn't make it easier to navigate. When budgets shift, global events ripple into classrooms, or communities face unrest, the pressure lands on leaders, teachers, and students alike.

School inspections carry real weight — and not just operationally. They're deeply personal. For teachers and leaders who pour themselves into their work every day, having that work placed under scrutiny in a single visit is bound to have an impact.

Some of the most meaningful conversations don't happen at the dinner table. They happen in the car — side by side, engine humming, phones out of reach. It turns out this isn't accidental. From nervous system regulation to the psychology of eye contact, there's real science behind why movement and shared space unlock deeper conversations with young people.

Every night, students sacrifice sleep to study — but research shows this strategy backfires. Sleep deprivation cuts test scores by up to 35%, spikes depression and fatigue, and undermines the very academic performance students are working toward. Here's what the science says, and how schools can help students sleep better and learn more effectively.

Students are more digitally connected than ever — yet loneliness in schools has reached epidemic levels. So what's going wrong, and what can educators actually do about it? Explore the research and practical strategies schools can use to rebuild real human connection

Jez Belas, co-founder of youHQ, reflects on why meaningful human connection is disappearing — and what schools can do to design it back in. Part one of a short series.

Scot's upbringing across Asia drives his commitment to improving both belonging and student voice in education. In the interview below, Scot reflects on his experiences as a young person studying internationally - and more recently, as a dad, EdTech specialist, and financial advisor.

From morning alarms to late-night scrolling, screens dominate student life. Discover how excessive screen time affects teenage mental health, sleep, and wellbeing—plus practical strategies schools can use to help students build healthier digital habits and find balance.

AI tools are transforming student wellbeing support, but they come with serious risks. Discover how the UK government's new AI safety standards protect students, why human care cannot be replaced, and how schools can use technology ethically to enhance mental health support.

Discover practical student support strategies that transform struggles into success. From personalized learning plans to peer mentoring, explore proven interventions that help students regain confidence, build resilience, and thrive academically and emotionally

Wellbeing doesn’t stop at the school gates. The new youHQ Parent Portal brings parents and carers into the conversation, offering practical tools, resources, and insights to support young people’s wellbeing at home and beyond.

Resilience isn’t about avoiding challenges, it’s about learning how to navigate them. Discover how schools can intentionally develop student resilience through relationships, emotional literacy, and everyday practices that support wellbeing and long-term success.

Strong school mental health initiatives create environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. Discover practical strategies, real examples, and simple steps schools can take to build lasting wellbeing.