School Belonging

Abstract

In this chapter, we turn from a general discussion of belonging to focus specifically on the sense of school belonging. The term itself has been used in a variety of ways, and similar terms abound, including connectedness, attachment and bonding. At times the terms are used interchangeably, at other times distinctions are made. We unpack relevant terminology and consider a range of measures that have been developed to evaluate it. We consider the benefits of school belonging for adolescence—especially with respect to psychological well-being, good academic outcomes and fewer negative behaviours. Despite these benefits, gaps exist between research and practice; while it is generally understood that a sense school belonging is desirable and beneficial for students, there are very few interventions that aim to specifically address it.