At Happy City we are delighted with the news this week that the government is taking firm steps to focus on happiness as something that can be taught to school children. As reported in the Guardian, The Department for Education plans to trial mental health training in 200 schools. This is a fantastic step in the right direction. Lord Layard – one of the founders at our friend’s Action For Happiness – is advising the government and is quoted as saying “The development of the character of children is an incredibly important issue.” We agree!

Also quoted is child development expert, former teacher and Ofstead inspector Laura Henry who states: “There has been a massive push to academia, results and school leagues and children’s personal social development has been left behind… a holistic approach is needed” not least because, as Henry notes, this will “save x
amount of money in social care when they are adults.” We couldn’t agree more and salute this step in the right direction towards seeing a wider acceptance and adoption of these important ideas for not just children but everyone in society.