ABSTRACT
Some students present with concerns such as depression, anxiety, peer conflict, interpersonal difficulties with staff, disengagement with school work, or victimisation. School belonging is positively associated with various academic outcomes, including educational motivation classroom engagement, improved school attendance, and academic performance. When a young person describes connection with their school, it ranges along a continuum from a deep sense of connection and belonging to complete detachment and isolation. Students who feel a sense of belonging to school, pay more attention in class, do more than is expected of them by their teachers, and earn higher grades and scores. Schools are uniquely placed to proactively support youth at a time of high vulnerability. Adolescents are developing a sense of personal identity, trying to understand who they are and how they fit in the world. The chapter also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in this book.
