Building a thriving school culture: lessons from KEY academy

A thriving school culture is built intentionally through relationships, shared values, and daily practices that make students and teachers feel seen and supported. KEY academy is proof that when culture is nurtured with purpose, learning, collaboration, and joy naturally flourish.

 Students at KEY academy

“Not every school invests in culture, and when it’s neglected, the effects are easy to see.”

- Ifeoluwa Ayeni,  People and Culture Executive at KEY academy.

Introduction: more than rules and routines

Walk into any school, and you’ll feel it almost instantly - the atmosphere, the energy, the way people interact. That feeling is school culture.

It isn’t written on walls or locked inside policies. It lives in the small, everyday moments; the greetings at the gate, the collaboration in classrooms, the empathy shown during challenges. Culture is built in how people show up, speak to one another, and solve problems together.

At KEY academy, culture is not left to chance, it’s built with intention. Every policy, practice, and conversation reflects the belief that when teachers and students feel seen, supported, and inspired, real learning happens. Over time, this has transformed KEY academy into a living case study of how to nurture an environment where growth, collaboration, and joy are not just encouraged, but expected.

As one of our co-learners puts it, “Culture is what you notice when no one is watching. It’s the invisible force shaping how a school lives and breathes.”

What is a thriving school culture? A thriving school culture is a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment built on mutual respect and trust, where all stakeholders - students, staff, and families work together to foster academic and social-emotional growth. It is characterized by strong relationships, shared accountability, clear expectations, and a sense of belonging that empowers everyone to reach their potential.

A thriving culture creates order, belonging and purpose. It is the difference between a school that simply functions and one that truly flourishes.

In a healthy school culture, collaboration is at the heart of everything. Staff and students work together toward shared goals, guided by mutual respect and a collective commitment to growth. Such cultures are innovative, open to new ideas and practices that elevate teaching and learning. They are safe, giving students the confidence to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. And they are joyful - where learning feels meaningful, fulfilling, and worth celebrating.

Research by The Learning Policy Institute found that schools with strong cultures consistently report higher academic achievement and improved teacher retention. Similarly, Harvard’s Graduate School of Education highlights that when students experience belonging and trust, engagement and motivation naturally follow. Culture, then, is not just a “nice to have.” It is the engine that drives learning.

How KEY academy builds culture

• Project-based learning (PBL)

Learning at KEY academy happens by doing. Students design projects, solve real-world problems, and share their findings with others. For example, rather than just studying environmental science, students might lead a recycling campaign in their community. This approach deepens learning while also building collaboration, creativity, and ownership.

• Continuous Professional DevelopmentTeachers are learners too. At KEY academy, co-learners (our term for teachers) receive ongoing coaching, attend workshops, and learn from one another. This creates a culture where growth is the norm, not the exception. This results in teachers feeling supported, inspired, and motivated to bring fresh ideas into the classroom.

  
  

• Parent PartnershipsFamilies are seen as partners, not bystanders. Parents are engaged through workshops, events, and open communication channels. This strengthens trust, ensures alignment between home and school, and makes learning a shared responsibility.

  
  

• Operational ExcellenceCulture thrives when systems work smoothly. From enrollment processes to communication and feedback loops, KEY academy makes sure that operations are seamless. When families experience efficiency and respect in these areas, trust in the school deepens.

“Culture isn’t only about people, it’s also about systems that make people feel respected and supported.”

Contrasting cultures

Not every school invests in culture, and when it’s neglected, the effects are easy to see. Students feel disconnected, teachers become isolated, and parents grow frustrated. The environment may be orderly, but it often lacks purpose. The focus narrows to grades, discipline, and compliance, leaving little room for curiosity, joy, or belonging. Over time, even the most capable learners begin to disengage when they can’t see themselves reflected in the life of their school.

At KEY academy, the story is different. By intentionally putting culture at the centre of its mission, we have created a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone feels seen and valued. Students are engaged academically, emotionally and socially. Teachers are motivated collaborators who see themselves as co-learners, not just instructors. And parents are active partners in the journey, connected to the vision and growth of the school. This shared sense of purpose transforms KEY academy from a place of instruction into a place of inspiration.

Lessons for other schools

There are lessons here for any school that wants to build a thriving culture.

1. Clarify your core values: Define what your school stands for and make sure those values guide everyday actions.

2. Invest in relationships: Strong, authentic connections between teachers, students, and parents form the heartbeat of culture. When relationships are prioritised, collaboration and trust naturally follow.

3. Empower teachers: When educators feel supported, respected, and encouraged to grow, they carry that same energy into their classrooms. Empowered teachers nurture empowered students.

4. Celebrate success: Recognise achievements, both big and small, to reinforce joy and progress.

5. Listen and adapt: Culture is never static. Schools that invite feedback, reflect openly, and evolve with their community remain vibrant, relevant, and resilient. 

Studies reinforce these lessons. Research published in School Leadership & Management shows that schools with strong collaborative cultures tend to achieve better student outcomes. This aligns with the OECD’s Learning Compass 2030, which emphasises that education systems must support not only academic achievement but also students’ well-being, sense of belonging, and capacity to thrive in a rapidly changing world. 

Conclusion: culture is the foundation

Culture is not built overnight. It takes clarity about what a school values, consistency in reinforcing those values, and care in nurturing relationships across the community.

The story of KEY academy shows that when culture is cultivated with purpose, it becomes the foundation for academic success, personal growth, and joy.

As the saying goes, culture eats strategy for breakfast. For schools, culture development is not an extra task. It is a key task. KEY academy is a powerful example that when culture is done right, schools can become places that uplift everyone, students, parents, and teachers alike.

“A school’s culture has far more influence on life and learning in the schoolhouse than the president of the country, the state department of education, the superintendent, or the school board. If the culture is toxic, then all the good work being attempted by staff and students will be undermined. If the culture is healthy, it becomes the most powerful force for excellence in schools.” — Roland S. Barth, Improving Schools from Within

Written by Ifeoluwa Ayeni,  People and Culture Executive at KEY academy.

References

1. Berry, B., Bastian, K. C., Darling-Hammond, L., & Kini, T. (2019). How teaching and learning conditions affect teacher retention and school performance in North Carolina. Learning Policy Institute. Learning Policy Institute

   
   

2. Ferguson, R. (2020, May). Belonging. Harvard Graduate School of Education. Retrieved from https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-magazine/20/05/belonging Harvard Graduate School of Education

   
   

3. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (n.d.). Future of Education and Skills 2030. https://www.oecd.org/en/about/projects/future-of-education-and-skills-2030.html OECD

   
   

4. van Dam, M., Brekelmans, M., van der Want, A., de Haan, J., & de Wit, L. (2021). Students’ school climate perceptions: Do engagement and burnout matter? Learning Environments Research. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-021-09384-9