Students’ experiences of sense of belonging in NSW public schools

Belonging at school is one of the strongest determinants of student attendance, wellbeing, and academic achievement, and can help students form positive friendships.^[1] Research also shows that belonging is particularly important to enable students from low socio-economic backgrounds to adjust during their transition into high school.^[2]

About the Sense of Belonging Research Series

In 2024 the NSW Department of Education released the Sense of Belonging Research Series. As part of this work, the Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation interviewed ten schools of varied contexts to understand how they create a positive sense of belonging for their students. Principals, teachers and other school leaders highlighted a range of practices they identified as contributing to their students’ sense of belonging.

Schools were chosen by the Department of Education as part of this work based on their students reporting a high sense of belonging in the then Tell Them From Me (now NSW Public Schools) survey. While teacher perspectives are important,
it was also recognised that student feedback is critical to making recommendations to foster more inclusive school environments.

Key findings

During Term 3 2025, the Advocate and team visited five of the ten participating schools to ask students what helps them feel like they belong at school. 193 students across two high schools and three primary schools participated in the study. A mixed methods approach was used, combining an anonymous survey with small focus group discussions.

The Student Sense of Belonging Research Series highlights the voices and experiences of students, providing insights into their
perspectives about what helps them belong at school These findings are intended to offer insights that other schools can consider, and guide engagement with students to better understand contextual factors that create a strong sense of belonging.