The Focus of Learning School

Learning schools have a clear focus. That is, the school has a clear statement of its purpose and values, what it is trying to achieve, why those are its goals (Links to an external site.), and how it intends to go about reaching its goals (Berkowitz, 1998, p. 3). This focus, as captured in their mission (Links to an external site.)and vision statements, articulates with and is aligned to the learning outcomes (Links to an external site.) of the school.The focus of a school becomes more clearly defined when its mission speaks to the outcomes that it wants to achieve.

Learning schools have a clear focus.

Such a focus displays the following characteristics:

The school has a clearly defined vision and purpose rooted in collectively agreed values.

The school is constantly in search of quality in teaching and learning and continuously undertakes self-evaluation and professional development (Links to an external site.) aimed at improving the quality of the learning offered.

The school sees itself as accountable to the local community for the service that it renders to the learners and for the example that it sets for learners to emulate.

The school places a high premium on its relationship with the community. Parents are valued as complementary educators (Nieuwenhuis, 2007:74).

A learning classroom can be defined as a place where all learners can learn. It is managed and organised in such a manner that the learners are intellectually productive and feel safe on intellectual, emotional and physical levels. Learning is central in a productive classroom environment, and the educator employs teaching technologies that are appropriate to the subject matter. The educator also ensures the intellectual growth of all learners in the classroom.