Typology of Schools Descriptors and School Cultural Norms

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A Typology of School Cultures

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.

Moving – boosting pupils’ progress and development; working together to respond to


changing context; know where they’re going and having the will and skill to get there; possess
norms of improving schools.

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Norms of Improving Schools

• “We know where we are going.” (shared goals)


• “We must succeed.” (responsibility for success)
• “We’re working on this together.” (collegiality)
• “We can get better.” (continuous improvement)
• “Learning is for everyone.” (lifelong learning)
• “We learn by trying something new.” (risk taking)
• “There’s always someone there to help.” (support)
• “Everyone has something to offer.” (mutual respect)
• “We can discuss our differences.” (openness)
• “We feel good about ourselves.” (celebration and humour)

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