Gone are the days when a school’s raison d’être was simply to produce knowledgeable students, with the assumption that everything else would take care of itself. Independence, resilience, social skills and practical life skills were once largely expected to develop naturally through everyday experiences. Schools did not necessarily see these as qualities that needed to be deliberately taught or nurtured.

Today, the world in which young people grow up is very different. For most students, life before social media is almost unimaginable. They have grown up in a world shaped by constant connectivity, instant communication and the opinions of others. Yet, despite being more connected than ever, young people can sometimes feel increasingly disconnected from the world around them. The desire for independence remains strong, but it exists alongside the pressures of social media, the need for acceptance and the constant comparisons that online life can encourage.

These pressures can affect self-esteem, emotional wellbeing and the development of meaningful relationships. They also reinforce the importance of resilience, sound judgement and the ability to navigate setbacks. Schools have always played an important role in nurturing these qualities. In an increasingly complex world, that responsibility has become all the more important.