At Bowbrook School Inclusion is part of our Belonging Framework.
Extensive research highlights the significant impact that a child’s sense of belonging has on their entire school journey and outcomes in later life. This initiative supports us to consider the whole child and identify any areas that may inhibit them from thriving during their time with us.
Our Belonging Framework
At Bowbrook School, we want every child to feel safe, valued and that they truly belong. A strong sense of belonging helps children feel confident, supported and ready to learn.
Our approach is guided by the Belonging Framework, developed by The 3–18 Education Trust. The framework helps schools, families and pupils work together to support children’s wellbeing, behaviour, attendance and learning, ensuring the right support is in place at the right time.
What is the Belonging Framework?
The Belonging Framework places the child at the centre of everything we do. It brings together five key areas that are closely linked to a child’s sense of belonging:
- Learning
- Attendance
- Behaviour (as communication)
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Physical and psychological safety
By considering these areas together, we can better understand what a child might need and provide support early, before difficulties become bigger challenges.
What this means for parents and carers
Parents and carers play a vital role in helping children feel a sense of belonging. The Belonging Framework recognises that working in partnership between home and school is key.
Through the framework, we aim to:
- Help parents and carers understand how we approach wellbeing, behaviour and support
- Be clear about how we work together when a child needs additional help
- Encourage open, honest communication
- Build a supportive team around each child
Most children will thrive with strong relationships, consistent routines and universal support. Sometimes, children may need additional or more specialist help. The Belonging Framework helps everyone understand their shared responsibilities so support is coordinated, compassionate and effective.
Find out more
You can find more information about the Belonging Framework, including guidance for parents and carers, on the Trust website: HERE
If you have questions or concerns about your child’s wellbeing or sense of belonging, please contact speak with the Class Teacher in the first instance.
In an ideal world, all students would thrive at a universal level. This would mean that their needs could be met collaboratively with minimal intervention or additional support.
As minor concern emerge, we may class this as monitoring – meaning that our schools would be monitoring the concern and implementing minor adjustments of support to try and support the student to thrive.
If concerns persisted, we may need to take a more targeted approach and more specific interventions and support would need to be considered.
In more concerning cases, a more specialist approach is needed and within all strands, we can see the responsibilities we believe to be vital for each stakeholder once a student has reached this stage by clicking here.
Following this graduated approach, we hope to work collaboratively with families and the students themselves to help our students thrive and be the best they can be.