School ethos

A positive school ethos can significantly impact on the health and well-being of pupils and staff. Likely features of a positive school ethos include:

• a strong sense of community
• good interpersonal relationships
• appropriate pastoral care for pupils and staff
• an atmosphere that encourages citizenship
• pupil participation in decision management.   

Who can help?

The Scottish Schools Ethos Network was funded by the Scottish Executive to support schools. Although this funding ended and the network closed in July 2005, the website and resources are still available.

• Scottish Schools Ethos Network publications available free on the website
• School Ethos Database – gives teachers access to a variety of anti-bullying and positive ethos strategies, resources and organisations in one searchable online database. This includes material from Dr Bill Rogers' conference on Positive Ethos, Positive Discipline.
• Ethos is Here to Stay! – a handbook of printed and electronic resources, distributed to schools in August 2005 and designed to help them to develop a more positive ethos.   

The Scottish Schools Ethos Network worked alongside the Anti-Bullying Network, which is still in operation.