There is a paradox at the heart of contemporary school improvement and system change in education. Why is it that despite the phenomenal increase in our recent knowledge about what works in schooling, standards still lag behind expectations and school level performance is far too variable? Unleashing Greatness addresses this paradox and concludes that, unless we focus unrelentingly on the quality of teaching in both our small and large-scale reform efforts, current practice will never meet society's expectations. Unleashing Greatness is a compilation of David Hopkins' writing into one concise manual to provide an eight-step strategy for unleashing greatness. Introducing a rational and conceptual framework for pedagogic improvement that has the potential for generating an increasingly specific language for teaching and learning, this book significantly aids consistency and precision in the quest for both excellence and equity for all students. Written for 'school improvement activists', particularly those who work in laboratory schools or who wish to emulate that ethos and way of working, the author himself has located his professional practice for over forty years, as well as this book, in the middle of that triangle bounded by the vertices of practice, research and policy.

There is a paradox at the heart of contemporary school improvement and system change in education. Why is it that despite the phenomenal increase in our recent knowledge about what works in schooling, standards still lag behind expectations and school level performance is far too variable? Unleashing Greatness addresses this paradox and concludes that, unless we focus unrelentingly on the quality of teaching in both our small and large-scale reform efforts, current practice will never meet society's expectations. Unleashing Greatness is a compilation of David Hopkins' writing into one concise manual to provide an eight-step strategy for unleashing greatness. Introducing a rational and conceptual framework for pedagogic improvement that has the potential for generating an increasingly specific language for teaching and learning, this book significantly aids consistency and precision in the quest for both excellence and equity for all students. Written for 'school improvement activists', particularly those who work in laboratory schools or who wish to emulate that ethos and way of working, the author himself has located his professional practice for over forty years, as well as this book, in the middle of that triangle bounded by the vertices of practice, research and policy.

Theoretical and practical exemplification of the education adviser's skills, knowledge and understanding in relation to school improvement. This is the second book in The Education Adviser series which fully aligns with the AoEA accreditation and focuses on school improvement, supporting the professional learning of education advisers. The education system has undergone significant change recently, giving education advisers a huge part to play, especially around school improvement. Divided into three parts – context and causality, building capacity, and collaborative school improvement – providing a thorough exploration of school improvement strategies. The range of contributions – from MAT leaders, headteachers, system leaders, key influencers and education advisers – showcases diverse perspectives and approaches and provides critically reflective opportunities. This book delves into the following topics and more: understanding a school’s improvement within a wider context, advising on curriculum, and pedagogy, supporting new head teachers in identifying priorities, building capacity to create and sustain an inclusive school culture, system-wide collaboration. Perfect for new or prospective education advisers, it will help school leaders fully understand the complexities of school improvement and how to apply this knowledge in practice.

This book explores the foundations of modern primary education and the role that society and culture has had in shaping it. Dismantling assumptions about what education has been or ‘should’ be, Tony Birch outlines what the core principles are that underpin high quality education to provide a holistic approach. Supporting leaders, practitioners and those studying primary education, this book: - Explains key issues in primary education and what drives them - Highlights the importance of pedagogy and leadership to enrich education - Builds on the existing frameworks in schools to encourage an holistic approach - Emphasises the importance of seeing the range of a child’s potential outside of academic expectations Understanding Primary Education as a Whole is an essential resource for leaders and those studying primary education who want to understand the changing nature of their schools, classrooms and children. “All of those leading primary education at whatever level can learn from Tony Birch’s analysis of history and competing influences on primary education. This book is systematic, comprehensive and thoughtful.” Dr. Alison Borthwick, UK and International Freelance Education and Mathematics Consultant “As well as being wise, this book is also engaging, accessible and essentially practical. Read it!” Professor Emeritus David Hopkins, www.profdavidhopkins.com “Tony reminds us of the complexity and challenge of primary education, the battles that have been fought around it and the changes in systems and practice that have occurred as a consequence.” Michael Tonge MA, Chief Executive Prestolee Multi Academy Trust, UK Tony Birch is Director of Birch Education and a Senior Associate of the Association of Education Advisers. He established Bolton Council's award-winning Curriculum ICT team, was Head of School Improvement and also Assistant Director responsible for Education and Learning.

Now, more than ever, it seems that the age of professional learning networks has well and truly arrived. The rise and proliferation of digital communication, coupled with the circumstances enforced during the pandemic experience, have led to a dynamic re-imagining of Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) – both in terms of what they are for and what they can achieve. Set against this context this book provides a stimulating insight into the current state of the art of professional learning networks and the transformative difference they are poised to make to our educational future. Drawing on a wealth of expertise, each chapter is written by leading thinkers and doers in the field, and covers a range of topics and emerging areas. These include: the professional learning vistas opened up through digital opportunities; how these networks have helped to enhance teachers’ identity and sense of well-being: the new sense of practitioner ownership and partnership now at the heart of PLNs; new openings for professionalization; how PLNs have become vehicles for radically different forms of professional development and learning; and what this all means for school leadership.

Are you ready to take your life and work to a new level of greatness? Do you need practical, step by step keys to help you tap into your personal greatness? Do you want keys to take your leadership and your organisation to greatness? Buhle Dlamini's proven keys to unleashing your greatness will guide you in how to: Stand out and Be Who You Be Live Your Values Courageously Pursue Excellence Unleash A Winning Attitude and Create Your Own Future This book is your guide to greatness!

England's school system performs below its potential and can improve significantly. This white paper outlines action designed to: tackle the weaknesses in the system; strengthen the status of teachers and teaching; reinforce the standards set by the curriculum and qualifications; give schools back the freedom to determine their own development; make schools more accountable to parents, and help them to learn more quickly and systematically from good practice elsewhere; narrow the gap in attainment between rich and poor. The quality of teachers and teaching is the most important factor in determining how well children do. The Government will continue to raise the quality of new entrants to the profession, reform initial teacher training, develop a network of "teaching schools" to lead training and development, and reduce the bureaucratic burden on schools. Teachers will be given more powers to control bad behaviour. The National Curriculum will be reviewed, specifying a tighter model of knowledge of core subjects so that the Curriculum becomes a benchmark against which school can be judged. Schools will be given more freedom and autonomy, the Academies programme extended and parents will be able to set up "Free Schools" to meet parent demand. Accountability for pupil performance is critical, and much more information will be available to aid understanding of a school's performance. School improvement will be the responsibility of schools, not central government. Funding of schools needs to be fairer and more transparent, and there will be a Pupil Premium to target resources on the most deprived pupils.

Written by 3 pre-eminent educationalists, this long awaited text is a case study of the successful reform in the Northern Metro Region resulting in massive improvement in student performance. It discusses teaching strategies, organisational structure and policy and how they can be changed to support improvement plans in schools. The reform strategy is an inside-out approach to school improvement based on the commitment to every student reaching their potential, and is not just about improving literacy or numeracy but also the desire to learn. It is seen as quite the model for educational system reform due to the innovative approach and successful results. There has been .

"Unleashed is worth an afternoon of your time, whether or not you are already a leader. It is sparkily written and personal, drawing on the experiences of co-authors (and spouses) Frei and Morriss."— Financial Times Leadership isn't easy. It takes grit, courage, and vision, among other things, that can be hard to come by on your toughest days. When leaders and aspiring leaders seek out advice, they're often told to try harder. Dig deeper. Look in the mirror and own your natural-born strengths and fix any real or perceived career-limiting deficiencies. Frances Frei and Anne Morriss offer a different worldview. They argue that this popular leadership advice glosses over the most important thing you do as a leader: build others up. Leadership isn't about you. It's about how effective you are at empowering other people—and making sure this impact endures even in your absence. As Frei and Morriss show through inspiring stories from ancient Rome to present-day Silicon Valley, the origins of great leadership are found, paradoxically, not in worrying about your own status and advancement, but in the unrelenting focus on other people's potential. Unleashed provides radical advice for the practice of leadership today. Showing how the boldest, most effective leaders use a special combination of trust, love, and belonging to create an environment in which other people can excel, Frei and Morriss offer practical, battle-tested tools—based on their work with companies such as Uber, Riot Games, WeWork, and others—along with interviews and stories from their own personal experience, to make these ideas come alive. This book is your indispensable guide for unleashing greatness in other people . . . and, ultimately, in yourself. To learn more, please visit theleadersguide.com.

How can school leaders shape organisations that offer consistently high quality, rounded and equitable education in the context of rapid change? How can wider school systems support and encourage all schools to succeed in this way? School Leadership and Education System Reform considers the ways in which school leadership and its practice has changed and developed in response to a rapidly changing educational scenario over the last decade to meet the ever-growing and changing demands of children, policy-makers and other stakeholders and considers future developments. Drawing together leading thinkers and researchers in the field of leadership and management this text takes an international perspective to consider what we know about school leadership and learning, and its practice. Theoretically and conceptually informed, the contributors draw on recent empirical research studies into leadership, learning and system reform to explore the key areas of school leadership and management with specific reference to student, adult and organisational learning. Key topics covered include: · The relationship between leadership and student learning · How leaders foster professional learning and evidence-informed improvement · The changing role and nature of accountability · System leadership and governance in networked systems · The balance between accountability, markets, and networks in 'self-improving' school systems · Emerging challenges and opportunities for leaders, such as the implications of new technologies Essential reading for those on postgraduate courses on leadership and management and those looking to develop their leadership practice, School Leadership and Education System Reform clearly sets out the key issues and provides discussion points and suggests resources to support and guide the reader through the wealth of information.