Five signs a school has a Healthy Culture

School is somewhere young people learn, not just about the subjects they’re studying but about themselves as people too. They discover where their interests lay, who they are, their role in society, and who they want to be. A crucial part of making this possible is having a healthy school culture and school environment.

But how can parents tell if a school they are considering sending their children to has a healthy culture? Read our top tips below.

1. Strong Leadership and Clear Vision

When you visit a good school, you should firstly interact with the school leaders. If a Principal is there to greet you when you arrive, or comes and has a chat with you at the end of your tour, that’s a good sign. A big part of good school leadership is being visible to the school community. Leaders being open and involved with the parents and children, each and every day, is a strong sign that a school has healthy culture, with a clear and shared vision.

2. Collaborative and Inclusive Community

Another cornerstone of a healthy culture is an inclusive school community. Talk to the school’s teachers about their personalised learning approaches, and how they cater to the needs of their individual students.

You might consider asking what kinds of activities your child could be involved in, both during school and after. Also be sure to ask about cultural celebrations, international days, equality and diversity programmes, and student-led initiatives.

3. Prioritisation of Student and Staff Wellbeing

It’s always a good idea to talk to students when you are visiting a school—do they seem relaxed, confident, and happy? Ask teachers how they celebrate achievements throughout the year, not just at graduations. Find out how they build support networks for every child. We recommend having open conversations with the school team about how wellbeing  for students is prioritised.

4. Open Communication Channels

Schools work best when parents are engaged and included in the day-to-day goings on. Watch for school transparency and how the school communicates across every level and with  parents.  The best schools have open communication and are keen on parental inclusion.

Look for things like a parent café or parent classes, they’re good signs that the school encourages parents to be on campus, involved in on-campus activities, and that there are open channels for communication.

5. Focus on Growth and Achievement

Schools are places where children grow—emotionally and academically.  Schools that focus on student achievement are far more likely to have a positive school culture. Look for signs of student celebration, whether that’s newsletters, school displays or assemblies. Be sure to take a look at a school’s online activity too, including their social media and website updates, to see how they celebrate and recognise students’ academic results and achievements.