Responding to a new report from the National Foundation for Educational Research, which finds that the socio-emotional skills of 15-16-year-olds in England are significantly weaker than those of many of their peers in comparator countries, James Bowen, assistant general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said: 

“There is little doubt that having strong socio-emotional skills is not just important for future employability but, just as importantly, to live a happy and fulfilling life.

"These skills can be just as important as academic skills and knowledge – as schools know only too well, education is about both.

"Getting this right runs right through a child’s education but certainly starts in the early years and it is essential that the early years workforce has the resources and training it needs to prioritise this crucial work.”