Tools and Documents

Thematic seminar “Fostering Well-being and Inclusion through School culture” (SCH) took place 3.-6.5.2026. The seminar focused on the wellbeing of the school community. The aim of the seminar was to explore the importance and synergy of wellbeing, learning, inclusion, and school culture from the perspectives of everyday pedagogy and leadership in schools. The topic was approached using keynotes for introduction and latest research evidence, workshops for methods and peer learning, as well as school visits for concrete examples on the topic. The seminar participants consisted of basic education teachers and principals from 23 programme countries. Participant feedback shows that the greatest outcomes were in face-to-face interaction; in particular workshops and school visits offered hands-on examples, networking, peer encounter and peer learning. The event was created and hosted

The assessment of outcomes is based on both the participant feedback / evaluation and the observed outcomes by the hosts. The participant feedback consists of 58 responses, representing 100% of all participants. The participant feedback form collected quantitative (0-10) and qualitative (open text) assessments on the following areas: seminar overall assessment, keynotes, workshops, school visits, Erasmus+ session, and practical arrangements.

The seminar’s overall quantitative average score was 9.52. In the qualitative feedback the participants compliment on the organizing of the seminar, inspiring and warm atmosphere, inspiring keynotes, well balanced theory and methods ratio, school visits, and the networking and peer-learning opportunities. Some participants were still hoping for more concrete practical examples for how to promote wellbeing and inclusion in the school surroundings.

Keynotes: 

• aims: introduction to the topic and latest research-based evidence
• participants’ feedback results:
  1. Quantitative average 8.24
  2. Qualitative: Inspiring and qualified speakers on important and relevant themes. Some participants considered the keynotes too theoretical with little concrete examples or applicability to schools’ everyday life.

Workshops: 

• aims: concrete methods and peer learning
• participants’ feedback results:
  1. Quantitative average: 8.83
  2. Qualitative: Workshops were considered participatory including good conversations, networking and peer-learning. Some participants would have liked more hands-on activities in workshops and less “lecturing”.

School visits: 

• aims: concrete examples on the topic in the Finnish context, discussions with the principal, teachers and pupils, observation of the premises (pedagogical approach) and teaching methods
• participants’ feedback results:
  1. Quantitative average: 9.00
  2. Qualitative: The school visits were a very well appreciated part of the seminar programme with the possibilities of concrete viewpoints to the topic. The participants appreciated the inspiring and concrete discussions with the teachers and pupils. Mostly the visits were considered well organized, however, some of the visits seemed to have had too little opportunities to follow teaching. Every participant visited one school, however, some would have hoped for several visits and/or shorter/longer time at the school/s.

Erasmus+: 

• aims: networking for future cooperation on education development and projects
• participants’ feedback results:
  1. Quantitative average: 9.00
  2. Qualitative: Very useful and motivating. Focusing on networking and initiation of new cooperation. Some participants reported they would have wished to have more time for discussions. Newcomers were hoping for clearer instructions to get started with Erasmus+ and/or eTwinning.

Practical arrangements: 

• aims: To facilitate best possible surroundings for learning and networking. Throughout the seminar, vegetarian food was offered in line with the environmental sustainability strategy.
• participants’ feedback results:
  1. Quantitative average: 9.64
  2. Qualitative: Fluent organization, facilitation and timing. Friendly and caring organizing team. Clear and timely information and communication. Good accommodation and tasty food. Some of the participants reported that they would have liked to have more free time. There was also a wish for development of networking tools, such as distribution of contact information.