Facilitating the development of schoolbased learning networks

• Published in: Journal of educational administration Vol. 48; no. 1; pp. 31 - 47
• Main Authors: Kubiak, Chris, Bertram, Joan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Emerald Group Publishing Limited 02.02.2010
• Subjects: Facilitation; Leadership; Schools; United Kingdom
• ISSN: 0957-8234
• DOI: 10.1108/09578231011015403

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the knowledge base on leading and facilitating the growth of school improvement networks by describing the activities and challenges faced by network leaders. Designmethodologyapproach A total of 19 coleaders from 12 networks were interviewed using a semistructured schedule about the growth of their network, key leadership processes, tipping points, structural design and knowledge flow and transfer. Annual review documents were also analysed. Findings Five leadership activities focused on facilitating networks were identified. These were courting potential partners and developing proposals for networked activity working for partner alignment and buyin into network goals and plans creating structured opportunities for teachers to work together embedding networked activity through formalisation and harvesting the knowledge generated by practitioners and refocusing network efforts. These activities present tensions around negotiating purpose, securing ownership of network activity, time, trust and the balance between quick wins and long term activities. Originalityvalue Internationally, networks are emerging as an increasingly common organisational form as well as a method for professional development, school improvement and to better serve pupil need. This paper adds to the limited research on network leadership and addresses increased calls for the intentional development of these organisational structures.