The Better School Quality Award highlights role models for other schools to inspire and learn from. The 2018 award goes to Fredrikshovs slotts skola in Stockholm and Nyköping Strand Utbildningscentrum for their exemplary systematic quality work and strong quality culture.
This year's recipients Fredrikshovs slotts skola and Nyköpings Strand Utbildningscentrum are concrete proof that active and clear leadership provides the conditions for teachers to do a good job and focus on the students.
- "Good structure, culture and systematics lead to improved results over time, regardless of the initial conditions," says Mats Deleryd, CEO of SIQ - the Institute for Quality Development. Through the Better School Quality Award, SIQ highlights schools that run exemplary quality work and can serve as role models for other schools to be inspired by. SIQ has the government's mission to stimulate and contribute to positive quality development in all parts of Swedish society.
The awards will be presented in a formal ceremony at the national conference Bättre Skola on January 16 in Skövde, where all those working on quality and leadership issues in the school world are welcome.
Fredrikshovs slotts skola is a primary school with education from preschool class to grade 9. In recent years, the school has continuously placed itself among the five best primary schools in Sweden.
The school has a sustainability-oriented, customer-driven business development and shows considerable integration and collaboration in various processes. There is a tangible culture of quality in almost all parts of the organization, where improvements are made on an ongoing basis. The school has deliberate, structured quality work that is strongly value- and result-driven. The school shows excellent and consistent results related to the ways of working.
With its clear management, its competent employees and its systematic quality work, Fredrikshovs slotts skola is a shining example and a worthy recipient of the Quality Award Bättre Skola 2018.
Fredrikshovs slotts skola has a conscious, structured quality work that is strongly value- and result-driven.
- It is very exciting to receive this award! Our pupils have achieved very good results for many years and it feels good to be able to show that this is not a coincidence, but a consequence of leadership and well-designed working methods that are deeply rooted in our values," comments Maija Möller Grimakova, principal of Fredrikshovs Slotts skola. "We want to set an example for other schools and aim to be at the forefront of educational development, and this award feels like clear proof that our systematic approach is leading us in the right direction.
Nyköping Strand Utbildningscentrum is a vocational high school with a strong focus on developing the skills and creativity of its students. The school demonstrates working methods that promote a culture of commitment, innovation and improvement.
The school has committed leaders and employees who, through persistent work, develop the business based on a world-oriented customer perspective. The leadership shows a conscious openness, with strong confidence in students and employees.
For several years, the school has worked systematically to define and develop its processes and practices based on the students' pathway through the education system. Student success is the school's goal, driving force and critical success factor. An important result is the high employment rate of students after completing their education.
Overall, this makes Nyköping Strand Education Center a worthy recipient of the Bättre Skola 2018 Quality Award.
An important result for Nyköping Strand Education Center is the high employment rate of its students after graduation.
- "We are so incredibly happy and it feels like a receipt for several years of persistent and systematic development work to now receive the Bättre Skola quality award," says Hannu Husa, principal of Nyköping Strand Education Center. All our working methods are based on a deep conviction that our students should succeed, grow and develop based on their conditions and personality. It is so rewarding to see that through the commitment of all employees, the right leadership and the right structure, this can be achieved every day.
Fredrikshov Palace School was established 24 years ago. The school is located on the premises of Fredrikshov Palace. The principal of the school is the Carpe Diem Foundation. The school is not politically or religiously affiliated and is not for profit.The school has about 300 pupils from preschool class to year 9.Fredrikshovs Slotts skola specializes in mathematics and natural sciences. The school has the highest merit value in the country among graduating students for several years.
Nyköping Strand Utbildningscentrum has national upper secondary education for restaurant and food (RL) and hotel and tourism (HT). In addition, they have introductory training and special secondary school with a focus on kitchens (HRHOT). In total, about 150 young people study at the school, which has 30 employees.
The school has open activities in its classrooms in the form of lunch and à la carte service where students can test their skills "for real" in a live restaurant environment. They work close to reality. There are annual activities in and outside the school where students have the opportunity to test their skills and meet customers, guests, companies and organizations. Students also carry out APL, work-based learning, both in Sweden and in Europe.