Building Belonging in Schools

"Genuinely one of the best books I have ever read. Possibly 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

“Building Belonging in Schools is a timely and deeply thoughtful contribution to education. Jon Hutchinson powerfully articulates why belonging matters so deeply for children, not just for outcomes but because every child deserves to feel accepted and part of something bigger than themselves. Brilliantly combining research, practical wisdom and moral purpose, this is a book that will resonate with teachers, leaders and anyone committed to creating schools where children are truly known, valued and able to contribute.”

– Siobhan Meredith, Executive Director of Education at the Ted Wragg Trust

“I’ve been fortunate to get to know Jon over the last few years, so it comes as no surprise that he has delivered with this book once again. Building Belonging in Schools comes at a key moment for our sector, and this book is full of perspective, reality and clear focus on some of the key building blocks of belonging.”

– Adam Dabin, CEO at Horizons Education Trust

“Building Belonging in Schools is what all writing on this topic should be: nuanced, evidence-informed and grounded in the reality of schools. Jon Hutchinson approaches belonging with both ethos and application in mind; you’ll find no trendy platitudes here but rather detailed exploration of research and a critical, forensic discussion of what belonging actually is, and how it is built in schools. As fads and trends in education come and go, books like this will remain important, guiding our practice.”

– Sam Crome, Primary Headteacher and Director of Education at Xavier CET

“It is hard to put into words the power of this book. Whilst reading Building Belonging in Schools in schools, I became aware that I was frequently on the edge of tears. Jon articulates the reality of where we are in education with both warmth and candour. He skilfully builds the case for ‘belonging’ being the most essential pre-cursor

to education engagement and human happiness. He supports the reader to navigate the complexity of the concept and the systemic challenges we face whilst also offering chapter-by-chapter practical advice. Why was I so emotional? In an increasingly complex world, we need to return to meeting our most basic human need: to belong. This book will change lives.”

– Rachel Higginson, Speaker, Education thinker, Founder of Finding My Voice, Director of The Huish Centre

“Building Belonging in Schools provides a well-constructed map of the empirical research underpinning belonging, for school leaders and teachers alike. Perhaps then, as we as a profession move to apply the same rigorous evidence-based approach to belonging and student engagement as we have curriculum and pedagogy in recent years, Building Belonging in Schools will become an invaluable and seminal text on the subject.”

– Chris Darvill, Deputy Headteacher at Teignmouth Community School