| Ethos
- The Essential Mix |
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An
Overview, by Elisabeth Morris, HMIe,
2005
The
word 'ethos' while originally derived from the Greek,
has become particularly associated with the Scottish
approach to educational improvement, focusing on the
distinctive characteristics, and spirit, of an individual
school. It was Scotland which produced the 'Ethos
Indicators' (1), a unique resource
which turned the evaluative spotlight for the first
time on 'stakeholders' (not a term used much in those
days) - pupils, parents and teachers - and asked them
what they felt about their school and what was important
to them. This resource, and its related tools, was
highly influential, not only within Scotland but also
internationally. Stakeholders' quality of experience
for the first time was seen as fundamental to the
overall success of the school.
How
Good is our School? (2) introduced
quality indicator evaluations covering pupils' sense
of identity and pride in the school, equality and
fairness, school atmosphere, morale and relationships,
expectations, praise and behaviour, and also partnerships
with parents and links with the community.
Gradually,
we gained a deeper understanding about looking beyond
the initial cultivation of climate and relationships
within the school. These needed to have a positive
and observable impact. And so, the term 'ethos of
achievement' was born. Not long after, we started
looking at how schools could turn negative and dysfunctional
features, such as bullying, into positive contexts
for personal and community growth. In all these ways,
our concept of ethos has evolved as our understanding
has grown.
We
now realise that one of the most important factors
in learning - possibly the most important - is the
relationship between learner and teacher. We recognise
the significance of health and wellbeing and of the
contribution which families make to supporting learning.
We are increasingly convinced of the need for schools
to become reflective learning communities. And, underpinning
everything remains the paramount importance of developing
an ethos of excellence and ambition.
(1)
Using
Ethos Indicators in Secondary School Self-Evaluation:
Taking Account of the Views of Pupils, Parents and
Teachers, SOED 1992 and Using
Ethos Indicators in Primary School Self-Evaluation:
Taking Account of the Views of Pupils, Parents and
Teachers, SOED 1992.
(2)
How Good is our School? HM Inspectors of Schools 1996,
second edition HM Inspectorate of Education 2002.
Available in html
or pdf
versions.
Visit
HMIe's website here.
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"Ethos
is not the preserve of the headteacher - it
is a personal commitment by each and every member
of the school to be clear about how they will
add value for children and parents - it is what
you stand for".
Miranda
Miller
Clackmannan Nursery 2005
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"Ethos
is not an addition, it is central to what we
do".
Pamela
Munn
Director, SSEN
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"Should
teachers who don't think that ethos is important
be replaced by computers?".
Alan
McLean, author of 'The Motivated School', speaking
at SSEN conference 2004
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Achievement
"Extra
curricular activities develop students' sporting and
recreational interests across a wide range of activities.
They
also promote personal and social development of students
and foster closer links between students and staff".
PE
Teacher, SSEN Case Study 40, Stranraer Academy
Stranraer
Academy's under-13s were Scottish Cup finalists
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School
Leadership
"Ethos
related work and activities in our schools has had
a major influence on school improvement. The underpinning
concepts are now firmly embedded in the Scottish Qualification
for Headship. Assessment in the SQH requires students
to demonstrate that they promote an ethos of care
and achievement".
Jennifer
Kerr, Programme Director, SQH, University of Edinburgh,
2005
"School
ethos is a constant reference point, in particular
an ethos of achievement. The creation or nurturing
of ethos is seen as a primary task of leadership".
John
MacBeath
See this
web page
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Environment
"It's
so bright and cheerful when you enter the school".
"What
a lovely entrance, you can feel the friendly vibes
when you come in".
"The
school radiates confidence and enthusiasm".
Visitors'
responses
SSEN Case Study Number 37, Glebe School
Glebe
School prepares to raise funds for others on Red Nose
Day!
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What
is Ethos?
"The
guiding beliefs, standards or ideals that characterise
or pervade a group, a community, a people...The spirit
that motivates the ideas, customs or practises of
a people".
Webster's
dictionary
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Sharing
as part of Ethos
"If
you have a penny and I have a penny, and we exchange,
you still have one and I still have one.
But
if you have an idea and we exchange ideas, you now
have 2 ideas and I have 2 ideas".
Anon
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Rights
and Responsibilities
A
shared knowledge and understanding of rights and responsibilities
is fundamental to the development of a positive ethos
within schools and their communities...this shared
knowledge of rights and responsibilities leads to
more positive relationships between parents, professionals
and children and young people, and supports them to
work together to provide an education that best meets
each individual pupil's needs".
Enquire
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Why
Ethos is important
"A
school with a positive ethos will encourage
achievement, celebrate successes, have high
expectations of every child, have lower exclusion
rates and fewer discipline problems".
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Jack
McConnell, August 2001 |
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Rewards
"It
could seem like, well, some pupils get rewarded
for what seems to us (prefects) as quite normal
behaviour but I suppose it is harder for them
and so they deserve a reward".
S5 Pupil
SSEN Case Study Number 32
Alloa Academy
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Discipline
"A
behaviour-agreement plan is - fundamentally
- a shared understanding between teachers and
students about fair, reasonable, safe, expected
behaviour in our class group".
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Partnerships
"Ethos
means different things to different people,
but for parents it is most apparent in the welcoming
and happy atmosphere at any school where parents,
staff, pupils and teachers all feel a valued
part of the school community. One way to continue
this positive approach should be the new Parental
Involvement legislation which plans to open
the school to more parents and give them better
access. Although some teachers might see this
as a threat, better access generally leads to
better understanding of what is involved in
the teaching process, of how hard most teachers
work and of how difficult it can be to get everyone
to contribute. Better understanding will build
a better sense of the whole community and strengthen
mutual respect between parents, teachers and
pupils".
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Judith
Gillespie
Scottish Parent Teacher Council, 2005 |
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Inclusion
"We
see inclusion as a fundamental aim of the school
which permeates everything we do and everything
we strive towards. It is essentially about improving
ethos and changing attitudes".
Kirkhill
Primary School
See SSEN outline
papers
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Values
"(Examples)
of values (that underpin our plans) are recognising
and investing in the potential of every learner;
of valuing diversity and promoting equality;
of realising the potential of and valuing every
member of staff; encouraging participation in
the development and delivery of our service
- the involvement of staff in the processes;
protecting the environment - making good use
of resources; communicating openly, honestly
and being as fair as we can".
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Relationships
and Learning
"School
ethos is concerned with people and relationships.
It lies at the heart of young people's learning
and personal and social development".
SSEN
document
A
senior pupil and her buddies
SSEN Vision & Action Number 7, March 2004,
Blairgowrie High School
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