The organisational culture of a successful Limpopo secondary school

Abstract: Schools are best described by their unique culture, as schools have a culture that is peculiar to themselves. School culture is the assumptions, values, norms and cultural artefacts, ceremonies, unwritten rules of behaviour and thinking that are established, shared and accepted through mutual understanding by the members of a school community which influence their functioning. School cultures can be either positive or negative. This study investigated the characteristics of the organisation culture of a successful Limpopo secondary school. Schein’s (2009:21) levels of organisation culture provided the theoretical framework for the study. The study was framed within an interpretative/constructivist paradigm and generic qualitative research design. The school was selected based on its excellent academic performance for more than ten consecutive years. A sample of six participants was purposefully selected for the study. Data was collected through one-on-one semi-structured interviews and was analysed using content analysis techniques. Research quality is achieved by providing an audit trail, keeping a reflexive journal and writing thick descriptions.M.Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management