Saint-Charles Défi: Outdoor Challenge in the Swiss Jura

Exceptional education begins with listening. Our recent whole-school survey has provided valuable insights into the experiences of students, parents, teaching staff and non-teaching staff, helping us celebrate our strengths and identify opportunities for improvement.

With 174 responses from across our school community, the survey reflects our commitment to transparency, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Listening to Our School Community

A successful international school is more than a place of academic learning. It is a community built on positive relationships, shared values and mutual trust. Our school survey explored key aspects of life at Saint-Charles, including teaching and learning, leadership, communication, student wellbeing, facilities, curriculum, co-curricular opportunities and boarding. Alongside numerical ratings, participants were invited to share written feedback, providing valuable perspectives on everyday school experiences. By listening to different voices, we can develop a clearer understanding of what makes Saint-Charles special and how we can make it even better.

Celebrating Our Strengths

The survey highlighted several encouraging findings that reflect the dedication of our staff and the positive experiences of our students and families. 88% of parents expressed satisfaction with the school, while 83% indicated that they would recommend Saint-Charles to others. Academic ambition also emerged as a strength, with 86% of students responding positively about the school's high academic expectations. These results reinforce our commitment to combining academic excellence with personalised support, strong relationships and a caring learning environment. At Saint-Charles, our values of Kindness, Respect and Responsibility remain central to our educational philosophy and daily school life.

Identifying Opportunities for Improvement

An effective school survey should do more than celebrate success. It must also encourage honest reflection and meaningful change. Feedback highlighted opportunities to strengthen communication, improve facilities, develop positive student relationships and ensure greater consistency in teaching practices. We recognise that even in a successful school, experiences can differ between individuals and groups. Constructive criticism is therefore particularly valuable. It challenges us to examine established practices, understand different perspectives and identify improvements that will have the greatest impact.

Turning Feedback into Action

Following the survey, the school leadership team has analysed responses, identified recurring themes and shared findings with students, parents and staff. This work contributes directly to our wider school improvement strategy and our commitment to internationally recognised standards of educational quality. Our priorities include strengthening evidence-informed teaching, supporting student independence, improving communication and ensuring that our learning environment meets the needs of our community. We are also developing opportunities for students to participate more actively in school decisions, including through a representative Student Council. Importantly, we recognise that meaningful improvement requires sustained attention, clear priorities and ongoing dialogue.

Building a Stronger Saint-Charles Together

At Saint-Charles International School in Porrentruy, Switzerland, we believe that a culture of continuous improvement must begin with a willingness to listen, reflect and act. We extend our sincere thanks to every student, parent and member of staff who contributed to the survey.bout: challenge, resilience, friendship and a school community moving forward together.