Typology of Schools Descriptors and School Cultural Norms
Typology of Schools Descriptors and School Cultural Norms
Typology of Schools Descriptors and School Cultural Norms
Sinking – ineffective: norms of isolation, blame, self-reliance, and loss of faith powerfully
inhibit improvement; staff unable to change; often in deprived areas where they blame
parenting or unprepared children; need dramatic action and significant support.
Struggling – ineffective and they know it; expend considerable energy to improve;
unproductive ‘thrashing about’; will ultimately succeed because they have the will, if not the
skill; often identified as ‘failing’, which is demotivational.
Strolling – neither particularly effective nor ineffective; moving at inadequate rate to cope with
pace of change; meandering into future to pupils’ detriment; ill-defined and sometimes
conflicting aims inhibit improvement.
Cruising – appear to be effective; usually in more affluent areas; pupils achieve in spite of
teaching quality; not preparing pupils for changing world; possess powerful norms that inhibit
change.
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Norms of Improving Schools