https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6a70a6c7e348732cfe958bdb/School_belonging_and_attainment_at_key_stage_4_linked_data_study.pdf
Department for Education research examines the relationship between school belonging and attainment among secondary pupils, using PISA 2022 data linked to the National Pupil Database.
Some of the headline findings:
🔹 Belonging varied by pupil background — boys, non-FSM pupils, and non-SEN pupils were more likely to report feeling they belonged at school
🔹 Belonging varied by pupil background — boys, non-FSM pupils, and non-SEN pupils were more likely to report feeling they belonged at school
🔹 Bullying was significantly higher among pupils with SEN compared with their peers
🔹 Pupils who agreed they belonged at school had meaningfully higher attainment, even after controlling for prior attainment, demographics and bullying — equivalent to around a full GCSE grade across eight subjects
🔹 The relationship between belonging and attainment held even when bullying was accounted for separately, suggesting bullying isn’t the only factor at play
The report is careful to note this isn’t a causal relationship, but the findings add to a growing evidence base on the links between belonging, wellbeing and attainment.
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