What is the WIS Annual Parent Survey?
Each year we carry out an annual parent satisfaction survey to help us improve our understanding of how our school is performing in key areas - what we are doing well and where we can improve. This year's annual parent survey concluded on November 30 and had 109 respondents.
The wording of the survey questions are aligned to those developed by the Council of International Schools (CIS). The survey collects demographic data and arranges questions according to five categories: 1) purpose & direction, 2) governance & leadership, 3) curriculum, 4) teaching and assessing for learning, and 5) students’ learning and well-being.
What do this year’s results show us?
Overall, the responses put Windhoek International School in a very good light. All questions received a strong majority of agree/strongly agree with responses as opposed to “disagree” or “strongly disagree”.
Children feel safe and are happy to come to school
The values and mission of the school are well-known, and are supported by the community
There is a reported deep commitment to the International Baccalaureate approach to education
Our school is remarkably multilingual and 43% of respondents hold multiple passports
Language learning is significant within the school
The school uses the cultural diversity of the school community to enrich learning
The school uses information technology to enhance learning
Parents report they are seeing improvements in MAP scores as well as many other aspects of their child’s education
The level of communication is appreciated but may be able to be streamlined and targeted
Parent sentiment was that the school should prioritise and place a special emphasis on the following areas:
Setting and achieving high academic expectations for academic excellence
Providing necessary differentiation and learning support for all students
Improving the interior conditions of the bathrooms
Improving the interior conditions of the classrooms
Building a swimming pool
Cooling classrooms/air conditioning
Increasing the selection and tweaking the timing of sports and after-school activities
Addressing bullying incidents promptly, and student behaviour comprehensively as a school
Improving health and selection of food, with less artificial drinks offered in the tuck shop
Increasing security protocols and alertness
Increasing opportunities for children to practice leadership, outdoor learning, and service
What are the next steps?
The Educational Leadership Team (Ed Team), Admin, and the Senior Leadership Team will conduct a more detailed analysis to see whether there are localised concerns that are specific to certain grade levels or areas of the school.
Board Committees will incorporate this feedback when setting goals and objectives identified for WIS in 2024.
The combination of quantitative responses and qualitative comments will allow us to conduct a trend analysis and prioritise action items identified above.
Strategic Planning
Whereas the purpose of the Annual Survey is to obtain operational feedback and inform our short-term priorities, in January we will circulate an open-ended three-question survey that is focused on long-term planning for our school. We have partnered with Kevin Bartlett and the Common Ground Collaborative to craft a new vision and strategic plan for our school. Please be on the lookout for that important communication.
Ethan Van Drunen
Director
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