Wellbeing
At RWS, we apply a holistic approach to education. In addition to academic learning, we focus on ensuring that every child and student develops self-confidence and well-being that will carry them forward in life. Our work is based on our core values, guided by the principles of honesty, compassion, courage, and initiative. We implement a wide range of activities in school aimed at fostering personal development and creating a school environment that is safe and secure for everyone.
Health
The mental and physical health and well-being of children and students are crucial for a good life, and therefore for learning and personal development both socially and in terms of character. Today, children and young people grow up in a rapidly changing society, while being inundated with information, not least through social media. This brings both positive and negative aspects. The school’s role, in collaboration with guardians, is to contribute to positive development in an increasingly complex social climate for children and young people.
To promote good health and well-being, we aim to build self-esteem and self-confidence, encourage physical activity, develop social skills, limit screen time, create a safe and secure environment with calm and focus for studies, and provide nutritious meals. Our student health teams work closely with school leadership and other staff to actively promote a healthy and supportive environment in our schools.
Safety
We have clear rules to promote well-being and continuously implement preventive and proactive measures to ensure safety among children and students. Our student health teams have primary responsibility for these efforts. Among our educators, there is ongoing training in positive and clear interactions, as well as self-leadership. There is zero tolerance for any form of bullying or harassment. We measure and monitor the social environment at least once per term. In our preschools, guardians rated children’s sense of security at 4.5 on a five-point scale in the most recent survey.
In primary school, students rated their sense of safety at 4.5, and in middle and lower secondary school, the score was 7.4 on a ten-point scale. Each school annually develops its own local Plan Against Harassment and Discrimination, based on our core values. On August 27 and January 27, we hold themed days across all schools focused on Raoul Wallenberg and his life’s work. The emphasis is on our core values through our guiding principles, as well as fostering social skills and character development.
Calm and focus for studies
Calm and focus during lessons and throughout the school day are essential for safety and learning. At our schools, we operate daily based on our core values and guiding principles of honesty, compassion, courage, and drive. The goal is to create a positive and respectful school environment that enables students to focus on learning and their personal development. In our primary schools, we follow clear and consistent routines before and during lessons, known as the RWS model. Mobile phones are not permitted in lower and middle primary school. In lower secondary school, phones are handed over to the teacher at the start of each lesson.
Incidents between students occasionally occur at school. Educators and school leadership always address such issues through discussions with the students involved, while also informing the relevant guardians about what happened and the measures taken.
Attendance
Our ambition is for children and students to enjoy and look forward to school by ensuring it is a safe and secure place. The school should also be inspiring and challenging. We provide all children with the support they need so that every student feels successful and experiences personal growth in their education.
Together with guardians, we continuously work to strengthen children’s and students’ self-confidence and well-being. We expect guardians to take responsibility for ensuring that children get enough sleep at night, have breakfast in the morning, and arrive at school on time. Therefore, we have high expectations for students’ attendance at school. According to the Swedish National Agency for Education’s latest survey, attendance at our schools is significantly higher than the national average. High attendance is the foundation of effective learning, and we aim for an attendance rate of approximately 95%. We are seeing a positive trend, and today, our average attendance rate is at 91.0%.
Physical activity and sports
Research shows that extensive physical activity at younger ages can have significantly positive effects on brain development. Physical activity improves oxygen flow to the brain, enhances the growth of brain cells, and strengthens the connections between them. It has also been found that physical activity helps children improve their concentration, boost self-esteem, manage stress more effectively, and enhance memory.
However, children and young people generally engage in far too little physical activity. We therefore believe that physical activity and sports should hold a central place in young people’s lives. In our preschools and primary schools, we create excellent opportunities for various activities that encourage movement both during school hours and in free time: In preschools, teacher-led movement activities are conducted several times a day. Our schoolyards are well-equipped and invite various physical challenges.
Our teachers lead physical activities both during lessons and breaks. The after-school portion of the day includes many teacher-led physical activities. In primary schools, we participate in the “Trivselledar” program, where a couple of students in each class receive leadership training to guide various physical activities during breaks. We collaborate with local sports organizations to integrate the school day as much as possible with extracurricular sports activities.
Culture and creativity
Various types of creative and cultural activities can have a positive impact on well-being. Research and experience show that participation in creative activities—such as art, music, dance, theater, writing, or crafts—can contribute to both mental and physical health in numerous ways. By exploring creativity and culture, children and young people can experience enhanced quality of life and a deeper connection to themselves and others.
From preschool onward, we engage children in a variety of creative, artistic, and cultural activities aimed at helping them explore their creative talents. In lower and middle primary school, we build on these foundations and progressively deepen their engagement in these areas. In lower secondary school, we take this to the next level by offering students the opportunity to specialize in aesthetic learning processes to varying degrees and in different disciplines. We hope this will inspire lifelong learning, self-confidence, and ultimately, well-being.
Nutritious meals
Children and students need good, nutritious food to ensure their well-being and to stay active in their learning throughout the school day, both in our preschools and primary schools. The human body is remarkable, and proper nutrition is essential for it to function optimally. By offering high-quality lunches and snacks every day, we teach children and students the importance of eating well and help them establish healthy eating habits early in life. We have our own kitchens that prepare nutritious meals for the children and students. This gives us full control over the ingredients used and how the meals are prepared.
Good food is made from scratch using fresh, high-quality ingredients, with a focus on incorporating more greens and fiber, reducing salt, and using the right types and amounts of fats. The lunch provided accounts for at least 35% of the recommended daily nutrient intake for school-aged children and youth. Raoul’s Kitchen is the name of our school dining halls—or restaurants, as we prefer to call them.
Our ambition is for students to learn proper table manners and how to behave in a restaurant setting with others from an early age. During part of the lunch period, the restaurant observes complete silence, allowing students to focus on enjoying their meal. Raoul’s Kitchen is also available to the community during evenings and weekends, offering a range of services such as children’s parties, birthday celebrations, and other enjoyable gatherings.
