Why ethos and environment are important

Children and young people should feel that they belong in the school community and that the school values them. Adults should build positive, consistent relationships with them based on trust and mutual respect.

Schools should help children and young people build healthy relationships with their peers. They can do this through high-quality relationships education, an effective whole-school bullying policy and peer support programmes.

Children and young people are more likely to flourish and achieve at school if they:

• have positive and consistent relationships with staff and know that adults care about them and their learning
• feel accepted and included by other pupils, with low levels of bullying and conflict
• take an active part in their learning and feel committed to it
• learn in a respectful, safe and nurturing environment that welcomes pupils and families
• feel listened to, can share their concerns and know that their views matter

Senior leaders should make sure the whole school creates a place where children and young people feel that they belong and know that staff value and care for them.

They should do this through leadership, policies and everyday interactions. All staff can help children and young people feel that they belong by building positive relationships.

Trusting, kind, safe and secure relationships can help bring about positive change.

Relationships play an important role in a child or young person's wellbeing and development. Schools should support and nurture positive relationships between pupils, students and staff, and between peers.

Relationships with peers also play an important role in children's and young people's development.

Schools can support healthy peer relationships through high-quality relationships education, including Relationships, Sex and Health Education and other curriculum activities. See Principle 3: Curriculum, Teaching and Learning.

Many children and young people find it easier to talk to their peers first. As a result, more schools now offer peer-led support.

Peer-led support can include:

• peer tutoring
• peer coaching
• peer listening
• peer mentoring
• peer counselling
• befriending
• buddying