What is a Belonging Audit?
The Belonging Audit is a practical tool designed to identify students who may be struggling to feel at home in our school community.
Through targeted surveys and interventions, we gain valuable insights into how students feel in school, helping us create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and included.
New Student Belonging Survey
Who is this survey aimed at?
New students
When should it be implemented?
This is variable upon your school and context, but I recommend using the same survey one, two or three times in the first term of an academic year to measure and record change over time. For example, you might use it at after one month, then after the first half term, and finally at the end of Term 1.
What will you find out?
This survey is designed to uncover:
👥 A list of specific students who may be struggling to integrate and do not feel a sense of belonging, and may benefit from intervention
📈 Changes over time — are students developing a stronger sense of belonging as the term progresses? Who struggled at the start but is now flourishing? Why do some students thrive from the offset, but others take longer?
🛡️ Whether students feel safe, valued, represented, and included
🧩 Patterns and themes in student experiences
🤝 If students have made friendships and are participating in school life
😊 Whether they feel happy and comfortable in school
🗣️ Student voice — what do students say they need to feel more included?
🚧 Any barriers to the above
The responses provide valuable information that allows the school to make targeted changes, ensuring that all new students feel welcomed, included, and supported in their transition.
Case Studies
This video presents three real case studies of students who benefitted from the New Student Belonging Survey at ISP.
Each example shows how follow-up support based on the survey helped improve their sense of connection and inclusion at school.
They represent simple yet tangible steps taken to help students settle in school.
New Student Belonging Survey Case Studies.mp4There are two versions available:
Standard Version – For fluent English speakers.
EAL Version – With extra support, and an additional section, for English as an Additional Language (EAL) students.
Intervention Ideas
Based on the analysis of the results from the September 2024 survey, students who appeared to be struggling with their sense of belonging and integration were identified for targeted interventions.
These interventions aimed to provide support and foster a stronger connection to the school community.
The 'Intervention Ideas' link outlines some of the steps taken at International School @ Parkcity.