Welcome to this section on supporting student belonging at school.
A strong sense of belonging is essential for students to thrive—academically, socially, and emotionally. Even in schools where things seem to be going well, small, intentional changes can have a powerful impact.
This section offers practical strategies and insights to help you create a more inclusive, supportive environment where every student feels seen, heard, and valued.
Hue, S. (2018) It Takes a Village. Available here (Accessed: February 2025).
It Takes a Village to Raise a Child
Students in international schools don’t just move between classrooms—they move between countries, cultures, and communities. Some navigate this journey with only a small family unit, while others have limited parental or guardian support.
Now more than ever, we represent their village. Teachers, classroom assistants, security guards, CCA leaders, administrative staff—we all play a role in shaping their emotional, social, and mental wellbeing.
For some students, school isn’t just a place to learn—it’s the only place that feels like home.
Belonging and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs highlights belonging as a fundamental requirement for personal growth and success.
Fostering a sense of belonging is essential for students’ wellbeing, as humans naturally seek social connection. In the classroom, educators can nurture this by promoting inclusivity, encouraging teamwork, and celebrating diversity.
Strong teacher-student relationships and peer engagement further support a positive learning environment where students feel valued and connected.
How can schools create an environment where every student feels they truly belong? Read on to explore practical strategies grounded in research.
See Brooks and Kirk (Understanding Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Education) here.
Hopper, E. (2020) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Available here (Accessed: March 2025).
This video features Lynn reading A Little Spot of Belonging by Diane Alber, a children's book that highlights the importance of inclusion and finding a sense of belonging.
Through themes of self-acceptance, community, and connection, it underscores the fundamental human need to belong—not just for students, but for all of us (with some ideas for games that develop inclusion and connect peers).
While the video stands on its own (especially for primary school students), Diane Alber's website offers a range of resources and products to further support a sense of belonging in your students.
Here are three videos exploring the theme of belonging. The first is a short, easy-to-follow animation introducing the concept of belonging. The second examines the various communities we are part of, and the final video highlights the importance of creating a classroom where belonging is at the heart.
The Student (or 'Star') of the Week award is a simple yet powerful way to make everyone feel valued and recognised within the school community.
Each week, students in each tutor group vote anonymously through a Google Form to highlight a peer who has stood out for any reason—whether it’s for kindness, effort in class, teamwork, perseverance, or simply being a supportive friend.
The award helps lift morale and gives students a chance to celebrate one another in a positive way. As the voting is anonymous, some tutor groups may use this strategically to ensure different students receive recognition throughout the term.
Winning students have their achievements shared in tutor time, and a congratulatory email is sent home, reinforcing the message that they matter.
Dress-up days for festivals like Deepavali, Chinese New Year, and Hari Raya create opportunities for students to celebrate their culture.
When widely embraced, these events strengthen connections within the school community.
While some students simply prefer not to dress up, for others, it might reflect a sense of disconnection.
Noticing patterns of non-participation provides an opportunity to check in with students, start supportive conversations, and engage parents.
Providing a selection of games in a safe space offers a natural way for people to connect, easing social interaction by giving them something to focus on beyond conversation itself.
This isn’t a new idea—board games, card games, and casual activities have long been used to bring people together.
However - by offering a relaxed alternative to traditional social settings, games create an inviting environment where conversations can happen more naturally, without pressure or awkwardness.
Gathering teacher feedback on student behaviour provides a balanced view of strengths and challenges. Teachers can offer praise and highlight concerns, helping to create consistent support strategies. Their insights also reveal behaviour patterns across different settings, ensuring interventions are fair and effective.
It's nothing groundbreaking but attached is what I use to capture information about a new student.
This can easily be tweaked for your purposes.
In international schools, students come from diverse backgrounds, and their needs can vary greatly. A Breakfast Club can play a key role in supporting these students, providing more than just food (in fact the 'Breakfast' club might take on a different name, and not include any meal, given that food poverty is not a common issue in our schools).
While the concept is familiar to those of us trained in the UK, where Breakfast Clubs often offer meals, their value in an international setting goes beyond this. It can be a safe, structured space where students can feel supported, build connections, and start their day in a positive way.
Below is a brief overview of how a Breakfast Club can benefit your school and students.
Module 1
Module 2
TES Children's Mental Wellbeing for International Schools
The Children’s Mental Wellbeing for International Schools resource is a guide designed to support educators in fostering positive mental health among students.
It covers essential topics such as understanding mental health, identifying risk factors, and addressing common challenges like anxiety, depression, and self-harm. The resource also highlights the importance of resilience, early intervention, and a whole-school approach to mental wellbeing.
With practical strategies, case studies, and tools for staff training, this resource is a useful review of this topic for our schools.
"Compassionate Leadership for School Belonging" is a comprehensive 165-page book by Kathryn Riley, available as an open-access download from UCL Press.
It provides a deep dive into the importance of compassionate leadership in fostering school environments where every student feels a sense of belonging.
With evidence-based strategies, this book offers practical advice for school leaders and educators looking to improve inclusivity and support students' emotional and social wellbeing.
The best part is that it’s completely free to download, making it an accessible and valuable resource for anyone interested in enhancing belonging in schools.
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award
I try to encourage as many students as possible to get involved in the International Award (IA). It represents an outstanding opportunity for personal development on so many levels.
Once you have them onside, you can be part of the process of choosing student groups and do a bit of social engineering!
The students hike, cook, and camp together over multiple days, and so it offers a unique opportunity to build new friendships and develop existing friendship groups.
