Quality in Schools—What Sets a Successful Independent School Apart

Published: August 19, 2024

Miscellaneous

All children and young people have the right to a good school. Everyone also has the right to choose which school they want to attend. But with so many options, it can be difficult to know which school best suits your own needs—or even those of your children. A systematic approach to quality is crucial for promoting the development and learning of children and students; this section describes some key factors and the Tellus Group’s work on quality in schools.

Security

Safety and a peaceful learning environment are crucial for students to succeed in school. The absence of violence and bullying is therefore one of the most important factors for parents when choosing a school, as a safe school environment is essential for students’ academic performance and well-being. Although the vast majority of students feel safe at school today, there is a growing group that does not, according to the Swedish Schools Inspectorate.

For schools to succeed in their efforts to prevent and combat harassment and discrimination, they must engage in ongoing efforts to promote a positive school environment, as well as adopt a shared approach to listening to and taking into account students’ experiences and views. Every individual school has a responsibility in this regard, including by establishing an annual plan to combat harassment.

Learn more about independent schools

Education and Support

To ensure quality in schools, staff must be attentive to each student’s needs. Teaching methods therefore play a major role in how well students can absorb information and in ensuring that the school provides students with the support they need to achieve their educational goals. Successful teaching methods can be implemented in various ways, as students’ needs differ, but a prerequisite is that students have access to personalized feedback and support to help them meet the educational goals.

Dedicated and qualified teachers

For students to receive a rewarding education, dedicated and competent teachers are essential. Therefore, investments in ongoing professional development for teachers are crucial to maintaining quality in schools. Furthermore, teachers in independent schools are considered to be better equipped to do a good job than teachers in public schools, according to the results of the Swedish Schools Inspectorate’s annual school survey, which was completed by more than 45,000 teachers in elementary and high schools.

By focusing on these quality criteria, Tellusgruppen strives to foster a learning environment where students not only gain the knowledge they need, but also grow into engaged and responsible citizens.

Good communication with parents and guardians

Good communication between the school and parents is a key factor in ensuring quality in education. This includes effective communication about students’ progress and strong parental involvement in school activities. A constructive dialogue with parents also contributes to a supportive community that fosters students’ success.

Development and Innovation

Every school must follow the curriculum. That said, schools and teachers are not prevented from discovering new ways to improve their teaching. This may include the use of new technology and recent research to facilitate student learning, which helps make learning more relevant and engaging.

Would you like to learn more about what makes a successful independent school?

In the Swedish National Agency for Education's education guide, you can find and compare elementary schools.