Building Belonging in Schools by Jon Hutchinson

Building Belonging in Schools by Jon Hutchinson

Every child deserves to walk through their school gates and feel as though they belong. This is a moral imperative, but also a practical one as belonging is essential for deep and meaningful learning. But what does belonging really mean, and how can schools create more of it? This book unpacks the science that underpins belonging, drawing on evidence from psychology, neuroscience, educational research and sociology. Written by an experienced school leader, the book helps leaders develop a deeper understanding of belonging and how to promote it within their school.

The book begins by explaining the foundations of belonging, how it manifests in schools and the impact it can have. It then examines how belonging develops across different ages and phases of education, offering practical strategies, real-world examples and solutions to common challenges. Chapters cover:

• The relationship between belonging and learning

· The role of play and collaboration in building bonds

· Building connection through shared values

· The impact of transition on belonging

· Ensuring that all children are being seen and see themselves

· Supporting pupils through change and uncertainty

· The adolescent brain: challenges and opportunities for belonging

· Peer pressure and the double-edged sword of group dynamics

Part of the Teacher CPD Academy series from InnerDrive, this is essential reading for all school leaders and teachers wanting to make their classrooms and schools places where children want to be and feel known, valued and valuable.

"Genuinely one of the best books I have ever readPossibly the perfect edu-book. Smuggles in so much more than belonging. Tenderly written."

- Peps Mccrea, Director of Education, Steplab

"Very few books shift a national conversation. Building Belonging in Schools is one of them. In reframing belonging through interdisciplinary and intersectional lenses, Jon Hutchinson brings clarity to something too often treated superficially. At a time when inclusion matters more than ever, Building Belonging in Schools is not just a compelling argument, but a practical one. It has real implications for the curriculum, teaching, and school culture. And it matters for learning, because when pupils feel they belong, they engage more deeply and they achieve more. It’s full of subtle insights and sensitive strategies and I guarantee you’ll take away at least one idea and put it into your practice immediately."

- Mary Myatt, Education writer and speaker, Founder of The Myatt & Co Curriculum

"This is a superb and timely book: intellectually serious, morally grounded, and deeply practical. It refuses the shallow comforts that too often pass for “belonging” and instead roots the idea in real learning science, strong teaching, and the daily conditions that help students thrive. Most importantly, it dismantles the false choice between belonging and academic rigour. Here, belonging is not the soft alternative to excellence; it is one of the conditions that makes excellence possible. Essential reading for school leaders and teachers alike."

- Dr Haili Hughes, Associate Professor of Educational Impact and Innovation at La Trobe University, Melbourne

"Some books confirm what you already think. This one doesn’t. Jon Hutchinson takes an idea that can sometimes feel vague or overused and makes it feel practical and meaningful for everyday school life. What’s clear is that belonging isn’t a programme or initiative, it’s something built through relationships, routines and thousands of everyday interactions. This is an important book for anyone who works with children, and for parents too."

- Ben Erskine, Executive Principal at The 4 Cs Academy Trust

"Amongst the host of teachers and education leaders writing about "belonging", Jon emerges as the most authentic and expert voice. Jon's voice is authentic, because he has been talking about it for years, and long before it became the topic du jour. Jon's voice is expert, because the wealth of reading and research he has undergone lends him rare insight and wisdom. Belonging seems like an obvious and simple idea, but Jon outlines how in truth it is deep and complex, and liable to misinterpretation and poor implementation. I highly recommend Jon's book as an antidote to those concerns, and it will equip any teacher and leader with the knowledge they need to consider belonging in their classrooms and schools in a way that is evidence-based and true to the research."

- Adam Boxer, Science Teacher and Education Director of Carousel

Jon Hutchinson is Regional Director at the Reach Foundation, UK. Jon is also cofounder of Meno Academy, a platform providing high-quality, bite-sized subject knowledge videos for primary school teachers.