Research to reflect on: Making sense of school belonging

Our world is at a turning point, a moment of transformation. Covid-19 has exposed the divisions within and across society. Those on the margins of society have found themselves most exposed to its impact.

The pandemic has also taught us that wisdom and help build connections and communities and that schools need to be places of belonging. Belonging is that sense of being somewhere where you can be confident that you will fit in and feel safe in your identity.

The belonging challenge The belonging opportunity

1 in 4 young people feel they don’t belong in school. A sense of belonging is linked to:

Children from disadvantaged communities are Increased student twice as likely as their more advantaged peers to feel they don’t belong and four times more likely Reductions in absenteeism to be excluded. Other positive social outcomes, Young people who experience a sense of exclusion eg health and wellbeing from school or society seek ‘’ elsewhere. Improved A growing sense of agency: a belief in young people that they can make a difference

This research note draws on qualitative research on Place and Belonging (Riley 2013, 17, 19 and 20), a meta-analysis of 50+ studies on school belonging (Allen et al., 2016) and OECD data.

RESEARCH TO REFLECT ON: MAKING SENSE OF SCHOOL BELONGING Research to reflect on: Making sense of school belonging

Belonging: Outside-in: What personal histories and experiences do the young a dynamic people bring with them? concept Outside-in Whose voices are being heard in the community and Schools’ practices and whose do we need to hear? expectations influence young people’s sense of belonging. Here are the main factors Relationships and environment: which shape school belonging. What can be done to strengthen teacher-student Relationship and relationships? environment Where are the ‘safe’ places for young people (physically and emotionally)?

Leadership and agency: Leadership and agency Is the leadership team working to create a culture of compassion?

Are staff and young people being encouraged to develop their sense of agency? NEU1899/0620

RESEARCH TO REFLECT ON: MAKING SENSE OF SCHOOL BELONGING