School Culture

Culture in the workplace, sporting clubs and School's has been identified as a significant component contributing to the performance of all these institutions. Most parents try find out about a School's culture by asking friends or by reputation. Often reputation is not an accurate reflection of what happens in a School. An example of this is an episode of Insight, on SBS, which looked at Holroyd High (NSW) and contrasted its reputation with the reality - click HERE to view.

Ironically, an Ex Physical Education teacher, Ray Mclean, was one of the first to design a culture changing process called "Leading Teams", which seems to have revolutionized Australian Football and many other sports, as well as many businesses and Schools.

Leading Teams requires the organisation to define the specific behaviours which represent the culture of that organisation. Each person within the organisation, is peer reviewed regularly to see whether they meet those behaviours. The process is ongoing.

The behaviours that seem to be common across all Schools are: a supportive environment with high expectations, respect, teachers are helpful, encouraging, approachable and "know their stuff" and students work hard and are accepting and inclusive.

All Schools must measure their culture annually with three surveys: Staff, Student and Parent surveys. Staff survey items vary considerably from School to School - click HERE for an example. However, Student and Parent surveys are mandated by the Government:

Student items (I am trying to find an example)

1.       My teachers expect me to do my best.

2.       My teachers provide me with useful feedback about my school work.

3.       Teachers at my school treat students fairly.

4.       My school is well maintained.

5.       I feel safe at my school.

6.       I can talk to my teachers about my concerns.

7.       Student behaviour is well managed at my school.

8.       I like being at my school.

9.       My school looks for ways to improve.

10.     My school takes students’ opinions seriously

11.     My teachers motivate me to learn.

12.     My school gives me opportunities to do interesting things.

 

Parent items (click HERE for a short video on the results of a Parent survey)

1.       Teachers at this school expect my child to do his or her best.

2.       Teachers at this school provide my child with useful feedback about his or her school work.

3.       Teachers at this school treat students fairly.

4.       This school is well maintained.

5.       My child feels safe at this school.

6.       I can talk to my child’s teachers about my concerns.

7.       Student behaviour is well managed at this school.

8.       My child likes being at this school.

9.       This school looks for ways to improve.

10.    This school takes parents’ opinions seriously.

11.    Teachers at this school motivate my child to learn.

12.    My child is making good progress at this school.

13.    My child's learning needs are being met at this school.

14.    This school works with me to support my child's learning.

Widespread bullying can destroy a positive culture and most School's work hard to eliminate bullying, but some Schools have significant issues with this. The Student survey will show if bullying is a problem and whether the students are engaged by the curriculum and teachers. You can ask the School, but they will probably will be very reluctant to give you copies of the results of these surveys.

However, the School's Annual Report (see video on home page) must briefly summarize these surveys, for parents it is called the Satisfaction Level, for Students it's called Attitudes to School. The Annual Report can be found on the School's website - or the VRQA website.

Other indicators of School Culture are:

Attendance rates - see myschool introductory video on my home page. As a general rule, high attendance rates indicate the students are engaged at the School. Low attendance rates may indicate low engagement.

Academic Culture is indicated by "the % of students getting a score of 40 or above" in the See  Year 12 Results page. This % indicates how many students are getting an A+; 10% is good and 20% is excellent. What this means is that students are surrounded by a large number of senior students who work hard and have high expectations. This indicates the peer group surrounding the students is positive. I believe the peer group to be one of the most influences forces on students. A positive peer group can lift the performance of most students, while a negative peer group can decrease the performance of students.

The NAPLAN results will also indicate the level of academic culture at junior years - see myschool.edu.au web site.