What makes a school ‘effective'?

Effective schools are those that consistently achieve student outcomes at a high level, and every school is trying to get better, no matter where they start.

Each school has its own unique story. Schools vary in their leadership history, their ability to challenge the status quo, and how well they can expand and still maintain good practices.

But regardless of where a school begins or the difficulties it faces, any school can improve.


What does the research show?

Phillip Hallinger outlines 4 places on the path to effectiveness schools may be on.

Although every school context is unique, there are certain characteristics that “effective” schools have in common.

These are the 'hallmarks' of schools that consistently achieve high student outcomes. Effective schools share the following traits:

1. A clear and shared purpose:

   - They have a well-explained vision, mission, and goals for improvement.

2. High expectations:

   - Leaders and teachers have high expectations for student learning and each other.

3. Effective leadership:

   - Commitment and shared responsibility for school improvement are key.

4. Collaborative cultures:

   - They share knowledge, practices, and trust among the staff.

5. The ability to design quality learning:

   - They provide learning experiences that challenge and enhance students' cognitive and skill development.

6. Collaborative processes for planning and evaluating teaching:

   - They continuously use reflective processes to improve teacher expertise and collective effectiveness.

7. Focused, long-term professional learning:

   - Learning is strategic, incremental, and monitored.

8. Supportive learning environments:

   - They create enjoyable and rewarding conditions for both students and teachers.

9. Broader ecosystems of stakeholders:

   - They engage partnerships to support learning.

Quickly evaluating your school based on these characteristics can help identify your strengths and areas needing improvement.


What does the journey to effectiveness look like?

Mary Semaan, Head of Primary at Al Sadiq College in Sydney, and her team have enjoyed refining their vision and mission by taking part in the AISNSW Effective Schools Service.

“The Effective Schools Service is unique because it causes us as leaders to be more aware of what we’re actually leading,” she says.

“Not just the people, but the vision. So, the service starts with the vision first before any change or improvement can happen.” 

They have had tremendous success in engaging staff with this shared purpose as a way to begin building a more supportive learning environment. 

Cultivating a more collaborative culture amongst staff is a great first short-term goal before focussing on a chosen initiative to improve teaching and learning.

All successful improvement initiatives begin with a very clear vision of what success looks like for their graduates.

AISNSW Effective School consultants work with you to know your story and what your aspirations are for your community. We work with you early to refine, renew or strengthen your shared purpose.

“It has allowed us to go deeper and understand who we are, and not just stay on the surface and look only at a problem in an isolated way.”

For more information, professional learning opportunities and contact details, visit The Effective School Service webpage.