Culture and Survival: the role of symbol in improving the quality of a comprehensive school

The relationship between organisational culture and effectiveness is one of the dominant themes in current organisational and management theory. The major problem in the field is to establish a clear link between cultural change and increased effectiveness. The article illustrates one aspect of this relationship. Data for a comprehensive school in a London borough illustrate a steady decline in its intake and in the 11 + component of that intake. It then describes the steps taken by the head and staff collectively to strengthen the culture of the school. The data shows the consequent rise in both the overall intake and its 11 + component.