The social space this paper is concerned with is a particular school: it is local in that it ostensibly serves a local community in West London; however, it is global in that the student body is formed from families with connections all over the world. During an intensive period of 3 weeks, I observed a group of 12-year-olds in three classes: Maths, Humanities and English, two of which, Maths and English are exemplified here. All the children had arrived in the UK within the last 2 years. Through classroom observation and interviews with selected children and teachers, I document particular tensions, resistances and achievements that are part of the young people's growing sense of membership of the school and their wider role as new citizens of the UK. (Contains 1 note.)