School Well-being in Diverse Classrooms. Research report

Beata Papuda-Dolińska, Paweł Grygiel, Grzegorz Szumski, Maciej Karwowski, Magdalena Boczkowska, Anna Błaszczak, Katarzyna Wiejak

Instytut Badań Edukacyjnych – Państwowy Instytut Badawczy, 2026

School well-being, understood as a generalized and subjective sense of satisfaction with school life, is the foundation for the optimal development and educational success of every student. In the face of the growing diversity of needs in Polish educational institutions, the key challenge is to provide accessible education that builds a sense of well-being for all students by eliminating barriers and ensuring high-quality relationships.

This report presents the results of research conducted at the Educational Research Institute - National Research Institute (IBE PIB) as part of the project „Accessible School for All” (ASA), carried out in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education and UNICEF. The analysis included students in grades 4–8 of primary schools (N=1608). The primary goal of this publication is to present a picture of school well-being in diverse classrooms, taking into account, among others, students with special educational needs (SEN) and students with migration or refugee experiences.

The results presented in the report highlight key resources and barriers that shape the social climate of the school. The report serves as a vital source of knowledge for principals, teachers, and policymakers, supporting the process of designing solutions for accessible education that fosters the well-being of every student.