As children, we have all been familiar with the feeling of not wanting to go to school. What if we told you a lot of that feeling had to do with the school culture that a child has to adapt to? Most schools expect children to adapt to the existing culture instead of them determining the course forward.

A child spends somewhere between 40 hours per week in school. It becomes their second home and teachers become their guardians. So, the culture in place must adapt to how children evolve to make them feel at home, instead of the other way around.

What is school culture?

School culture is intangible and challenging to measure. A conducive environment, supportive teaching staff, and healthy relationships with peers are all factors that contribute to building a school culture.

The infrastructure of a school including safe and equipped laboratories, library that brighten young minds, emergency health care, and hygienic washrooms are important considerations. A supportive learning environment that is not congested, has ample lighting and airflow, further improves a student’s experience.

Significance of a positive school culture

A positive school culture helps improve the overall mental and physical well-being of the child. It can act as a safety cushion for the child from the many adversities they face growing up.

A conducive environment for learning ensures academic growth, good character, and instills community values and mutual respect for others.

A positive school culture teaches one to hold space for different opinions and helps one differentiate right from wrong.

The impact of a school culture, either good or bad, can always be felt by the child. A negative experience can always be detrimental to the child’s educational life. So, it is essential to focus on factors that foster a positive culture.

Key elements of a positive school culture

Here are some aspects that determine the culture of a school:

1. Teaching staff

Teachers are instrumental in the development of students. Therefore, the quality of teachers hired and the treatment they experience as staff have a significant impact on the students.

When teachers are treated well and satisfied, it translates into how well they are doing their job. They can deal with the students’ emotional, mental, and physical needs better.

2. Supportive peers

Peers impact a large part of a child’s school life. Therefore, it is vital to be surrounded by a supportive company that they will learn from and not one that will pull them down.

Bullying is a serious issue that children face in school. One way to ensure that the child is constantly in safe company is to ensure that schools take action against it.

3. Open communication

A school with a positive school culture builds an environment where the child is not fearful to speak their mind. Children are naturally afraid of adults because of the power dynamic inherent in the age difference.

Society expects them to unquestioningly abide by the rules laid out for them from a young age. However, an atmosphere that allows children to learn to challenge outdated customs respectfully builds confident adults.

4. Encourages participation and leadership

The environment the student is present in must encourage active participation. When students feel encouraged to participate in both academic and extracurricular activities, they learn to hone their social skills. It teaches them the importance of teamwork and also nurtures leadership skills.

5. Healthy feedback and accountability

A positive school culture holds students accountable for their errors and leaves them constructive criticism. All feedback given must leave the child feeling supported instead of leaving them disappointed. When a child feels disappointed and underconfident as a result of feedback, they are less likely to excel than when they receive more positive feedback.

4. Strong moral compass

A school is responsible for helping the child develop a sense of right and wrong. A positive school culture enables them to build confidence, social skills, and leadership traits independently. Additionally, it creates a strong sense of self.

A sense of self helps them further develop a strong moral compass. Such a practice is in stark contrast to an environment where a child is dependent on the adult’s thoughts and inherits their moral compass out of fear.

Impact of a positive school culture

A positive school culture leaves a lasting impact on the child. The child not only excels academically but also enjoys good mental, emotional, and physical health. Here are some ways a positive school culture impacts a child:

High self-esteem

A school culture with a positive student-teacher and healthy peer relationship leads to a child developing high self-esteem.

Polished social skills

The school offers opportunities to interact and build connections. Such a practice in turn allows a child to develop their social skills, which they later carry into adulthood.

Builds resilience

A safe school environment helps a child build resilience. The safety allows them to become intellectual risk takers and face challenges head-on.

Sense of belonging

A healthy school atmosphere allows the child to feel accepted and find a sense of belonging. The atmosphere contributes to the child’s mental well-being.

Why school culture matters for the future?

A positive school culture will always allow children to find safety and inclusivity within the school. Such a culture is essential, as the school then becomes a place that the child enjoys and feels like coming to.

Children find themselves better equipped to deal with the future when they have had a strong foundation to grow on. A solid school culture gives them the base they need to fall back on by building strong value systems.

Small traits picked up in the classroom teach big lessons that they carry into adulthood. For instance, a rule as simple as mandatory attendance teaches them what consistency looks like.

Values like truthfulness, justice, and integrity build a child’s character and make them future-ready for life. Skills like empathy and conflict resolution help children outside of their classroom when they transition to making a living for themselves as adults.