Back to School – Relationships and Community

As the new school year begins, schools have a powerful opportunity to shape not only academic outcomes, but the emotional and social wellbeing of every student.  

September is often a time of change, making a fresh start, and thinking about what we want to take into a new school year. As students return to school, it’s the perfect time to reset, reflect, and reinforce the values that shape a positive school environment. For secondary schools across the UK, this means embedding respect, inclusivity, and healthy relationships into every corner of school life, not only in PSHE lessons, but in every lesson, through assemblies, tutor time, group activities, and across the school as a whole. 

Healthy relationships between students, teachers, and families, are the foundation of a positive school experience. They help students feel safe, valued, and supported, which in turn boosts confidence, engagement, and overall wellbeing. When students know they belong, they’re more likely to thrive both socially and academically. 

The School Community  

Creating a culture of community and belonging is essential in secondary schools, where young people are navigating identity, relationships, and the pressures of growing up. The school environment offers enormous opportunities to build safe, respectful, and supportive spaces, whilst also providing a place where students can voice their concerns, worries, and opinions.  

Consistent and positive relationships with staff play a huge role in making young people feel accepted, supported, and the school cares about them as a person. 

Why a whole-school approach matters 

A whole-school approach ensures that the relationships students are creating and building, are healthy, respectful, and are not confined to one subject or department. Instead, they become part of the school’s ethos, reflected in policies, teaching practices, student leadership, and everyday interactions. 

This approach is vital in tackling issues like bullying, discrimination, and exclusion. According to recent UK data, over one-third of children aged 10 to 15 have experienced in-person bullying,1 and nearly one in five have faced online bullying.2 These figures underscore the need for schools to take proactive, collective action. 

1 2 Bullying and online experiences among children in England and Wales - Office for National Statistics 

Strategies for the Autumn Term 

Start the year by inviting students to help shape the norms and expectations in their classrooms. Collaborative agreements encourage: 

These agreements can be revisited throughout the year, reinforcing a sense of shared responsibility. 

Autumn is an ideal time to kick off anti-bullying initiatives. National events like Anti-Bullying Week (10-14 November 2025) offer lots of brilliant activities and resources, or create a campaign tailored to your school. These campaigns could include: 

Use assemblies and tutor time to explore themes like empathy, identity, and community. Activities might include: 

These moments help build emotional literacy and reinforce school values. 

     4. Launching Student-Led Initiatives 

Empower students to lead the way in creating a welcoming school culture. Ideas include: 

Representation matters. Schools can foster belonging by: 

These celebrations help students feel proud of who they are, as well as fostering curiosity about others. 

Review school policies to ensure they reflect inclusive values. This includes: 

Supporting Educators and Leaders 

As an educational publisher specialising in social issues, we have a range of books and resources focusing on relationships and bullying.