A welcoming school environment helps every student feel seen, valued, and included. From classroom setups to shared spaces, small changes can make a big difference. When students feel they belong in the school environment itself, they’re happier, more engaged, and can flourish.
Explore practical ideas to create a school where everyone feels at home.
School floor plans can be used to identify areas where students feel safe or unsafe, helping pinpoint locations that may require improvements to enhance safety and wellbeing.
Ask a subset of the student population to identify areas on a map where they feel safest, happiest, or most comfortable.
There is great value in simply walking around and exploring your school campus. Do you truly know every corner and hideaway? The students certainly do.
While I like to think I know where most of my year group gathers during breaks and lunch, each time I explore, I discover something new.
Doing this as a team of select staff, alongside reviewing the floor plans, can be especially insightful.
It may highlight areas that require greater supervision or adjustments to ensure safety for all students.
Ideas from Pintrest for classroom displays focused around 'Belonging'.
Creating a classroom that feels safe, welcoming, and supportive can make a huge difference in student engagement and wellbeing.
This article explores practical, evidence-based strategies to transform any classroom into a therapeutic space that reduces anxiety, improves focus, and fosters positive interactions.
Click the link to explore how small adjustments can have a lasting impact on your students.
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I am sure every international school celebrates an International Day. At International School @ Parkcity we realised that a day was not enough! And so our International Week was born.
An International Day or Week is a vital part of any international school, celebrating the rich diversity of cultures that make up our community. It is a highlight of the academic calendar. It’s a chance for students to share their heritage, learn from one another, and build a deeper sense of belonging.
Here’s what we do at ISP:
🌎 International Day Parade of Nations
🌎 Parent Stalls
🌎 The International Buffet
🌎 International Week Kahoot Cup
🌎 Staff International Week Rotations
I won’t include a specific section on the Parade of Nations, as I expect all schools have this in place already. However - it remains the highlight of International Day, celebrating the rich diversity of our school. Students, staff, and parents proudly wear traditional attire, in a vibrant display of culture and unity themed around the reminder that our diversity makes us stronger.
However I do wish to expand on the other parts that make International Week special below.
The Parent Stalls are a fantastic opportunity for students to explore the traditions, customs, and cuisines of different countries.
Parents set up interactive stalls in a large hall that allow students to engage with elements of culture they might not have experienced before.
This is particularly meaningful for students who are the sole representatives of their country at school—it provides them with a space to share their heritage proudly and educate others about their background.
This video on our YouTube pages does a much better job than me at showing you what our Parent Stalls is all about!
Food has the unique ability to bring people together, and the International Buffet does exactly that.
Each student contributes a dish from their home country, and we all eat together in a shared space. We are a big school, so we have separated this into Key Stages. I'm part of the KS4 team and I love seeing my students eager for me to try food they have brought from home.
This experience not only introduces students (and staff) to new cuisines but also encourages meaningful conversations about culture, family traditions, and identity.
The Staff International Week Rotations are 20 - 30 minute sessions ran by staff. Each staff member chooses a country to represent, and organises an activity based on that country (for example I like to bring in my espresso machine and make the students (decaf) Italian coffees all day!)
Sessions may include language lessons, traditional crafts, storytelling, music, food preparing, or cultural discussions.
Some years we mix year groups for added opportunities to mix up the students.
The International Week Kahoot Cup is a fun and engaging way for students to test their knowledge about global cultures, traditions, and history.
Through friendly competition, students learn about different nations, expanding their understanding of the world.
If Form Tutors join representing their Form Groups then likely this can be done using the free version of Kahoot.
It's a lot of fun! At ISP we did this during a whole 55 minute period with staff invited to host an intentionally themed round.
The International School Wheel of Safety & Belonging helps schools create inclusive environments where all students feel safe and valued.
It highlights how identity factors like language, gender, and race shape students' experiences. Schools can use this tool in staff training, student discussions, curriculum planning, and policy reviews to ensure every student is supported and included.
This was created by Emily Meadows and I encourage you to explore her website.
Resources like 'The Antiracism Intent vs. Impact Series' are particularly thought-provoking.
Fair discipline policies help create a positive school environment where all students feel respected and supported.
When rules are clear, consistently applied, and focused on learning rather than punishment, students are more likely to trust the system and engage positively.
By training staff, using restorative practices, and involving parents, schools can ensure discipline is fair for everyone, reducing disparities and promoting a sense of responsibility.
Belonging in international schools requires addressing systemic barriers, including race and privilege.
The Whiteness Accountability Group, founded by Emily Meadows and Tamara Friedman, supports white educators in fostering accountability and promoting equity through discussions, book studies, and collaborative projects.
Their work helps create more inclusive school environments where all students and staff feel valued.
Have you ever thought about how we use pronouns in everyday conversation? Personal pronouns—like "he," "she," or "they"—are a common part of language, but assumptions about them aren’t always accurate or helpful.
Using the correct pronouns for someone is a simple way to show respect, just like using their name. This resource explains why pronouns matter and how they contribute to a more inclusive environment. If you're curious to learn more, explore the additional links and videos available.
