CHARACTERISTICS OF AN EFFECTIVE SCHOOL
What is an effective school comprised of?
Effective schools are those that successfully progress the learning and development
of all of their students.
There is no simple recipe for an effective school. Many factors combine to make
each school what it is, and each school is unique. However, it is possible to identify
a set of factors or characteristics that contribute to school effectiveness.
Based on research and consultations with parents,
nine characteristics of effective schools have been identified:
- strong and professional principal
- strong and professional teachers
- clear positive philosophy
- an environment conducive to learning
- the effective student welfare system
- strong organisational framework
- broad, balanced curriculum
- meaningful assessment and reporting on student progress
- support for parent and community participation.
CHARACTERISTICS (in detail)
1. STRONG AND PROFESSIONAL PRINCIPAL
The principal
- is qualified, competent and experienced
- provides leadership and vision for the school community
- strives to improve the school.
- manages resources wisely
- works cooperatively with staff and students
- works cooperatively with parents, the P&C and the School Board
- promotes parent participation in school activities and student learning
- promotes high staff morale
- promotes continuous learning and development of staff.
2. STRONG AND PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS
- The teachers are
- qualified and competent
- have positive attitudes and high morale
- elicit optimal student achievement
- develop students' critical thinking, problem solving and creativity
- are sensitive to individual student needs
- maintain effective discipline
- welcome parent participation
- are interested in continuous learning and professional development.
Across the staff
- a broad range of skills is represented, including skills in specialist areas
- teachers collaborate and work as a team.
3. CLEAR AND POSITIVE PHILOSOPHY
The school philosophy
- involves high expectations for all students and teachers
- encourages students to work towards their personal best
- aims to develop the full potential of each individual intellectually,
- emotionally, socially and physically
- places an importance on the development of life skills and positive values and relationships
- recognises that each child is an individual with different needs, backgrounds and aspirations
- values and welcomes the diversity of students' backgrounds
- recognises that education is a cooperative effort that involves teachers, students and parents.
4. ENVIRONMENT SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT CONDUCIVE TO LEARNING
- is a stimulating environment where students want to be and learn
- is safe, clean, secure and welcoming
- fosters caring and positive relationships between people
- promotes amongst students a sense of belonging and pride in the school
- provides for student participation in aspects of school organisation and life.
- has sensible rules that are clearly defined and enforced
- has effective behaviour management policies supported by a strong student welfare system.
5. EFFECTIVE. STUDENT WELFARE SYSTEM
- the school has a student welfare system in place that:
- supports the development of students to their full potential
- addresses difficulties experienced by students effectively ad efficiently
- is sensitive to individual students needs and backgrounds
- link with community support services and resources outside the school.
6. STRONG ORGANISATIONAL FRAMEWORK
The organisation of the school supports student learning, and there is
- effective use of resources;
- effective liaison with the school community
- time for planning, program development, reflection and collaborative decision-making
- support for staff appraisal and professional development;
- flexibility to organise student learning in a variety of ways.
7. BROAD AND BALANCED CURRICULUM
- The curriculum:
- Provides a range of learning experiences within and beyond the key learning areas.
- progresses the social, personal and physical development of students, as well as their academic development,
- ensure students develop a positive attitude to learning
- provides continuity form yer to year and is integrated across learning areas.
- helps students to develop life skills, such as self esteem, motivation and self-discipline.
8. MEANINGFUL ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING ON STUDENT PROGRESS
The assessment and reporting arrangements:
- provide clear and reliable information across the key learning areas and on the social development of students
- lead to sound decisions about teaching approaches
- identify problem areas and ways to work on these in partnership with parents
9. PARENTS PARTICIPATION ND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
The school environment:
- encourages parents/caretakers to visit and participate in school
- recognises that partnerships between parents and teachers lead to better learning outcomes
- promotes school ad teacher responsiveness to parents' views, inquiries and concerns
- supports the development of links with the broader community including other schools, business, and voluntary and government organisations.
- Overall, there is a strong sense of community within the school.
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