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When Dr Simon Johns first stepped into the vibrant classrooms of Ecuador—some overlooking the sea, others nestled in the Andean mountains, and a few without walls in the Amazon jungle—he discovered something profound about education. Wellbeing wasn't labeled or taught as a separate subject; it was woven into the fabric of learning itself.
This revelation sparked a journey that would lead him back to Wales to develop and research digital wellbeing programs for schools. In this enlightening conversation with Antonio Capelao, Simon shares how his background in psychology and experiences teaching across continents shaped his innovative approach to student wellbeing.
At the heart of Simon's research is "Pause Up," a digital resource that creates structured moments throughout the school day for students to reset mentally and physically. His findings reveal fascinating patterns across age groups: younger students embrace movement-based activities, while teenagers connect more deeply with reflective exercises exploring gratitude, empathy, and purpose. Perhaps most compelling is how the physical school environment—from modern facilities to century-old buildings—significantly impacts program effectiveness.
Set against the progressive backdrop of Welsh education policy, which uniquely includes wellbeing as a core curriculum area, Simon's work takes on special significance. He articulates a vision where wellbeing isn't "an isolated island" visited occasionally but the foundation upon which all learning is built. His research points toward a future where the architecture of school spaces is fundamentally reconsidered with student and teacher wellbeing at its centre.
For educators, designers, parents, and anyone interested in how physical spaces shape mental wellbeing, this conversation offers valuable insights into creating learning environments where young people can truly flourish. As Simon aptly puts it, "If wellbeing is at the top of the lesson plan, everything else runs smoother."

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Hosted by founder Antonio Capelao, and co-produced with the Built Environment Trust, the Thornton Education Trust, and the Welsh School of Architecture Cardiff University .
These short and to-the-point podcasts hope to improve the interplay between the fields of the built environment and education as we share knowledge between the practitioner, the creative, and the primary school teacher. Exploring how to prepare children and young people for economic, environmental, and societal challenges, and for their professional lives according to today’s needs and those of a sustainable future.