Emotional safety in schools refers to how safe a student feels in expressing their emotions in school.  Students should feel secure and confident as they express themselves and take on challenges that encourage them to try something new.

Emotionally safe learning environments can be achieved by making social and emotional learning (SEL) an essential part of education. SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and skills they need to recognize and manage their emotions, feel and show empathy toward others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. SEL can support conditions for belonging and emotional safety when schools are responsive to students’ perspectives and needs, affirming of students’ full identities, and promote structures that create predictability and consistency. Competence in the use of SEL skills is promoted in the context of safe and supportive school, family, and community learning environments in which children feel valued, respected, and connected to and engaged in learning.

Source: https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/topic-research/safety/emotional-safety