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Guest:

Professor Kathryn Riley

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What does it really take for children to feel they belong in school and why does it matter so much?

In this episode of Beyond the Grade, Andrew Hammond is joined by Professor Kathryn Riley, a pioneer in the field of place and belonging. Together, they discuss why a sense of connectedness is fundamental to both wellbeing and academic success, and how schools that prioritise belonging see tangible improvements in teaching, learning and outcomes.

Through real-world examples and insights from Kathryn’s research, the conversation looks at how leaders can intentionally create cultures where every child feels valued and part of something bigger, and why this matters for shaping more secure, fulfilled adulthoods.

The episode also reflects on the future of education, offering reasons to feel optimistic about a growing focus on belonging.

If we want to truly prepare young people for life beyond the classroom, the starting point might be simpler than we think: helping them feel they belong.

Professor Kathryn Riley

Kathryn began her work in education as a volunteer teacher in Eritrea, later teaching in inner-city schools, before holding political office as an elected member of the Inner London Education Authority (ILEA), and becoming a local authority chief officer. She has been a practitioner, policymaker, academic and change agent, always focused on the joy and opportunities which education can offer children and young people.
Kathryn’s extensive international profile includes heading up the World Bank’s Effective Schools and Teachers Group where she helped established a robust knowledge base to inform decision-making and contributed to the development of the Bank’s Global Leaders in Education Programme. Her engagement in research, policy and development work on educational reform and school leadership has involved her in partnerships with a range of organisations (including the OECD, UNICEF and the British Council) and enabled her to draw on the experiences and wisdom of educators and young people from many parts of the globe.
At the Institute of Education, University College London, Kathryn established an innovative MA Module, Leading in Diverse Cultures and Communities and supported numerous Phd and EdD students, many of whom now hold senior positions in education and social policy in different parts of the globe. She held the Directorship of the London Education Research Unit and developing innovative school-based collaborations which included training school staff and young people to be researchers for belonging.
Kathryn is a pioneer in the field of place and belonging. With the late Cuban DancePoet TioMolina, she co-founded TheArtofPossibilities, working to help create vibrant school communities which foster young people’s sense of agency and belonging. With Dr Kelly-Ann Allen and Dr Mohammed Elmeski she co-leads the Global Leaders in Belonging Roundtable; provides advice on school belonging to several jurisdictions around the world; and co-leads an innovative Leading for School Belonging programme.

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