What’s in the School Belonging Award framework?
This award offers a structured framework to help schools embed belonging at the centre of their ethos, systems and practice. It supports you to build inclusive cultures and strengthen pastoral systems so that children - regardless of background, identity or need - feel valued, included, and able to flourish.
The Award benefits
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Leadership, culture and ethos
Ensure that belonging is embedded in the school’s vision, values, and strategic intent. -
Positive interactions
Provide an environment where language promotes respect, connection, and psychological safety so that no one is marginalised and bullying is rare. -
Promote trust and safety
Implement policies and whole school systems for behaviour, attendance, and safeguarding that emphasise connection, fairness, and transparency. -
Strengthen learning provision
Embed a positive learning environment and a curriculum that is relevant, engaging and aspirational. -
Community and connection
Enrich extra-curricular provision and engage with the wider community to build cultural capital and support networks beyond the school. -
Whole-school approach
Staff, pupils and parents contribute to putting belonging at the heart of the school.
The award process
Evaluate your current provision against each of the award Objectives and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
Work with the award framework to create and implement your school’s Action Plan.
Collect evidence to meet the award framework and upload to the e-portfolio.
External review of the school’s evidence against the award framework.
Receive your award and celebrate your school’s achievement!
Improvements seen during work on the award continue after verification and the school remains accredited for two years.
