In today’s schools, and in society, belonging is not a ‘nice to have’: it is fundamental to attendance, behaviour, wellbeing and achievement. As educators, we know it matters, but how do we build it in practice?
How do you do belonging? moves beyond theory to offer practical, grounded exploration of what belonging really looks like in schools. Drawing on the leadership experiences of diverse settings across the UK, this book explores the decisions, systems and everyday actions that seek to ensure all pupils, families and staff feel seen, valued and connected.
Each chapter combines real practice from schools with reflection questions to help you evaluate and strengthen your own approach. This is not a checklist or a one-size-fits-all model. It is a professional companion, designed to prompt thinking, spark ideas and support meaningful change in your education setting.
“‘How Do You Do Belonging?’ is a powerful book that explores the multifaceted, interconnected aspects of belonging. Costanzo seamlessly blends together research, insights and an impressive range of case studies from differing contexts to bring to life and exemplify how belonging can realistically be fostered within schools and colleges. If you are looking to explore building a meaningful culture of belonging in your school or college, this is the book for you!” Dr Alex Fairlamb FHA, Educational Consultant and Trust T&L Coach
I absolutely loved reading it. The authenticity of stories from such a wide range of providers brings a real focus to the idea of belonging and strengthens our understanding of why this is such an important aspect of what we all do in schools. I loved the “time to think” sections and these really focus attention on the idea of how this might work for the reader in their setting. The whole thing is beautifully curated and pulls together with the common thread. There is real continuity and the stories flow together to create a tapestry of narrative from a wide range of really inspirational leaders. Matt Renshaw, Headteacher, Sir John Thursby Community College
How do you do belonging? moves beyond theory to offer practical, grounded exploration of what belonging really looks like in schools. Drawing on the leadership experiences of diverse settings across the UK, this book explores the decisions, systems and everyday actions that seek to ensure all pupils, families and staff feel seen, valued and connected.
Each chapter combines real practice from schools with reflection questions to help you evaluate and strengthen your own approach. This is not a checklist or a one-size-fits-all model. It is a professional companion, designed to prompt thinking, spark ideas and support meaningful change in your education setting.
“‘How Do You Do Belonging?’ is a powerful book that explores the multifaceted, interconnected aspects of belonging. Costanzo seamlessly blends together research, insights and an impressive range of case studies from differing contexts to bring to life and exemplify how belonging can realistically be fostered within schools and colleges. If you are looking to explore building a meaningful culture of belonging in your school or college, this is the book for you!” Dr Alex Fairlamb FHA, Educational Consultant and Trust T&L Coach
I absolutely loved reading it. The authenticity of stories from such a wide range of providers brings a real focus to the idea of belonging and strengthens our understanding of why this is such an important aspect of what we all do in schools. I loved the “time to think” sections and these really focus attention on the idea of how this might work for the reader in their setting. The whole thing is beautifully curated and pulls together with the common thread. There is real continuity and the stories flow together to create a tapestry of narrative from a wide range of really inspirational leaders. Matt Renshaw, Headteacher, Sir John Thursby Community College