Spotlight on Inclusion: research highlights and what’s next

In the midst of our Spotlight on Inclusion, we highlight our latest research and look forward to what’s next. 

Over the past month, we’ve been shining a spotlight on inclusion with new #BeeWell research. Missed it? Here are some highlights from this series:

• Social media, gaming, and wellbeing: Research with 25,000+ pupils aged 11–14 across Greater Manchester found that heavier social media use or more frequent gaming did not increase anxiety or depression over a year, highlighting that young people’s wellbeing is shaped by more than just screen time. 

• The experiences of young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in special schools: #BeeWell research of 2,500 young people in 42 special schools shows that while many feel well supported, experiences of wellbeing and school life vary by need, gender, and background, highlighting persistent inequalities and unmet needs.  

• Greater Manchester Girls Physical Activity: #BeeWell data from Greater Manchester shows persistent gender disparities in physical activity, with girls less active than boys due to factors including facility access, social norms, body image, and role model visibility, highlighting the need for system-wide solutions. We also produced two more versions of the briefing specifically for local authorities and school colleagues.

As we head into the second half of our Spotlight on Inclusion, we’ll be looking out for the government’s Schools White Paper, sharing more from our internal exclusion research, and taking part in Children’s Mental Health Week.