School-to-school collaboration has the potential to improve student learning outcomes, especially in underperforming schools. A recent study explores the impact of Shanghai’s Strong School Project, which pairs high- and low-achieving schools to boost academic achievement. It examines how peer relationships and principal leadership contribute to significant gains in subjects like Math and Chinese. By fostering collaboration, this approach highlights the power of partnership in reshaping education and enhancing student performance across diverse schools.

A new study from the University of Oxford, published in Public Health, shows that European people in the lowest income deciles are much more likely to feel lonely than those in the highest income deciles, despite no difference in how often they socialise. Furthermore, both poverty and loneliness were strongly associated with higher scores on a defensive symptom cluster characterised by elevated levels of pain, fatigue and low mood.

The study also showed that the symptom-reducing effects of social connection were strongest for people living in poverty. These findings have important implications for social, economic, and health policy, suggesting that strong social relationships may serve as important buffers against some of the health consequences of poverty.

A new study from the University of Oxford, published in Public Health, shows that European people in the lowest income deciles are much more likely to feel lonely than those in the highest income deciles, despite no difference in how often they socialise. Furthermore, both poverty and loneliness were strongly associated with higher scores on a defensive symptom cluster characterised by elevated levels of pain, fatigue and low mood.

The study also showed that the symptom-reducing effects of social connection were strongest for people living in poverty. These findings have important implications for social, economic, and health policy, suggesting that strong social relationships may serve as important buffers against some of the health consequences of poverty.