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News & opinion
— 26 Jun 2025
Helping schools build a sense of belonging to prevent bullying and exclusion
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The National Children’s Bureau (NCB) is excited to have launched a new and innovative, evidence-based 18-month programme designed to develop and enhance pupils' sense of belonging within school. Academic achievement, good mental health and wellbeing are significantly influenced by pupils' sense of belonging and this trailblazing programme will provide schools with the support needed to embed a whole-school approach to 'belonging'.
While the programme is nearing its final stages, we are delighted to share an interim report based on the findings so far:
Funded by the Kusuma Trust, the 'Belonging Matters' is an 18-month programme offered for free to 10 schools in London, started in June 2024, based on an extensive literature review by Goldsmiths University on behalf of NCB. This pilot programme is intended for mainstream schools, special schools and Alternative Provision, across both primary and secondary phases. With increasing concerns about barriers to school attendance, rising mental health difficulties amongst pupils, and school access to early help and specialist services in limited supply, supporting schools to develop and enhance their universal offer of inclusive education will benefit all pupils, particularly disabled pupils and those with special education needs (SEN) who face significantly more barriers to accessing school life.
While the programme is nearing its final stages, we are delighted to share an interim report based on the findings so far:
The benefits for schools on the programme:
Belonging Matters is underpinned by research evaluating the key components of 'belonging' and their influence on pupil outcomes. The programme incorporates these findings into a whole-school framework, enabling all pupils to feel they belong at school and access benefits from the advantages that this sense of connection provides.
Schools on the programme will work with us to develop a 360° whole-school audit tool and data-driven action plan, customised for their school, and an online Pupil Belonging Questionnaire. NCB's expert support package will also include:
- Access to a community of practice to share knowledge, learning and resources;
- A year's free access to expert support and from NCB;
- Free training for schools to increase knowledge and understanding of the Belonging framework and bespoke guidance on implementation;
- Access to a range of school-wide data that supports school improvement and will help evidence progress and impact for Ofsted inspections or workforce development initiatives.
Research has shown that school belonging contributes to not only academic achievement and future aspirations for pupils, but is also associated with wellbeing, mental health and self-esteem. Higher levels of school help prevent pupil disengagement, absenteeism and school distress as with more positive attitudes to learning and overall life satisfaction.
Please email us on [email protected] for further details.