Culture is the hardest thing to judge from a brochure, and often the thing that matters most to a child. It shows in small moments: how adults speak to students in the corridor, whose work is on the walls, how students talk about their own learning.
What's inside
- Eight areas to watch: first impressions, adult–student interaction, classroom culture, student culture, wellbeing and support, leadership and creativity, and environment fit.
- A prompt question for each, such as "Did the adults seem to know the students by name?"
- A simple 1 to 5 rating you can fill in as you walk around.
- A final reflection: will my child feel known, safe, challenged and that they belong here?
One A4 page. Print a copy for each school you visit. For what to do before and after a visit, see the NovaEd School Visit Guide.