GO! Campus Zottegem (Basisschool KAZ) in Belgium has achieved remarkable results through an innovative educational transformation combining architectural design and forward-thinking teaching methods.
Basisschool KAZ, Located in Zottegem, Belgium, is a GO! school, a part of Scholengroep 20. The school serves 120 preschoolers and 219 lower school students, with a focus on high-quality education and student-wellbeing.
In 2022, Basisschool KAZ moved to a newly constructed building and implemented a new didactic approach. The redesign included flexible learning spaces such as instruction zones, creativity rooms, quiet workspaces, and outdoor classrooms. The strategy emphasized active and data-driven learning, ICT integration, co-teaching, and adjusted organizational forms.
The school is divided into three units - Preschool, Lower School, and Upper School - each equipped with tailored spaces:
The school collects standardized test data for spelling, mathematics, reading comprehension, and vocabulary, among other areas. Results are systematically tracked to monitor learning progress and identify areas for improvement.
Koala is a test used in Belgium to assess the learning needs of 5-year-olds in elementary school, particularly in reading and writing. It helps schools provide targeted support for students struggling with specific skills.
Additionally, Koala screening showed significant progress in students' understanding of instructions, stories, and informational content, though a slight decline was noted in understanding informational announcements in 2023 compared to 2022.
Surveys and reflections highlighted the importance of flexible spaces, ICT tools, and supportive environments in fostering learning and well-being. The new approach improved collaboration, independence, and student motivation.
A well-being survey among students in grades 4-6 revealed that Basisschool KAZ scored above the average on key dimensions such as satisfaction, academic self-image, social relationships, and pedagogical climate. This indicates that students experience a higher level of well-being compared to the average schools in Flanders.
The transformation of Basisschool KAZ highlights how combining innovative environments with forward-thinking strategies can enhance education. The flexible spaces designed by Rosan Bosch Studio, paired with active learning, ICT integration, and co-teaching, have fostered collaboration, creativity, and independence.
Improvements in spelling, mathematics, and comprehension reflect the benefits of this multifaceted approach. Above-average student well-being scores further suggest that the integration of tailored spaces and innovative pedagogy has created a positive and motivating environment. While the exact impact of the learning environment alone is complex to quantify, the synergy of design, strategy, and monitoring at Basisschool KAZ offers valuable lessons for evolving education.