What is School Connectedness?
School connectedness is crucial as it is associated with wellbeing and academic achievement (Niehaus et al., 2012; Raniti et al., 2022; Rose et al.,2024).
School connectedness is the extent to which students feel “Personally accepted, respected, included and supported by others, especially teachers and other adults in the school environment” (Goodenow and Grady; 1993).
It is measured by the extent to which students feel they ‘belong’, have meaningful relationships, feel safe to be themselves, feel proud of their school and enjoy it. These are the components of school connectedness.
School Connectedness Care Package
The evidence-informed care package below has been designed to support you in developing school connectedness in your setting. It begins with ‘school connectedness’ in general, and this is a good place to start. You might want to consider auditing/reviewing where you are at so that you can develop provisions efficiently using the audit tool provided, or by making your own.
NOTE: After the ‘school connectedness’ section, the care package branches into resources for different components of ‘school connectedness’. This means you can target areas that are relevant for your school, such as ‘belonging’, ‘being myself’, ‘meaningful relationships’ and ‘pride and enjoyment‘. These are more relevant to classroom practices.
CPD for Staff
An adaptable Interactive staff meeting for all staff. This could be delivered by the mental health/pastoral/SEND lead or anyone who feels confident guiding this material. Take time to read it through, digest and adapt to your context before facilitating. Guidance for the facilitator is on page 2 of the presentation. Timing is approx 1.5 hours.
School connectedness:What is it? Why is it important, where we are currently at and what next?
Audit Tools
Tools to help schools identify strengths and areas of improvement in the components of School Connectedness
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- Whole-school audit toolkit (Reflection sheets and guiding questions)
- 7TAPS How to audit school connectedness (leaders)
Micro Learning
Practical guidance for teachers, leaders and parents supporting students who feel disconnected from school.
Explore the components of School Connectedness below
Belonging Care Package: Feeling valued and included within the school community.
Meaningful Relationships Care Package: Positive, trusting relationships with peers and staff.
Being Myself Care Package: Feeling safe to express identity and individuality.
Pride & Enjoyment Care Package: Feeling proud of the school and enjoying being there.
