If pupils don’t feel like they ‘fit in’ at school, this can lead to an increased risk of poor behaviour, poor attendance, underachievement and bullying. A sense of “not belonging” may also lead to disaffection, disengagement from learning, depression and anxiety.
This book contains a number of straightforward questionnaires which you can use to assess the level to which your pupils feel they ‘belong’ in school, as well as suggested activities and approaches to make it easier for them to fit into the school environment, and have a more positive education experience.
This book contains seven questionnaires that help identify areas where a child may need additional support.
Measure | Topic | Type | Administration | Potential Age Range |
The Sense of School Community Scales |
Sense of school community and membership |
38-item self-report questionnaire 18-item self-report Questionnaire |
Group |
Primary: Secondary: |
The Student Engagement Instrument | Student engagement / disaffection with school |
33-item self-report questionnaire |
Group | 12-18 years |
The Psychological Sense of School Membership Scale |
Sense of school belonging and membership |
18-item self-report questionnaire |
Group or Individual |
10-14 years |
The Belonging Scale |
Sense of school belonging and membership | 12 item self-report questionnaire | Group or Individual | 8-14 years |
The Family Connectedness Scale |
Networks of support / shared emotional connection in school and family |
12-item self-report questionnaire |
Group or Individual | 12-18 years |
The School Connectedness Scale |
Networks of support / shared emotional connection in school and family |
6-item self-report questionnaire |
Group or Individual | 12-18 years |
Social Cognitive Mapping |
Informal peer social networks and influences within peer groups |
Peer & self-report survey | Group or Individual |
6-16 years |
Belonging is part of the Measures of Children’s Mental Health and Psychological Wellbeing series. Other titles include Distress, Enjoyment, Healthy Living, Resilience, Responsiveness and Social Behaviour.
To access the Social Cognitive Mapping (SCM) software, download this zip file. containing instructions for use and SCM software install.