Section 6 School Networks
6.1 Introduction
The Primary National Strategy Learning Network initiative exists to help forge links between schools in order to share practice and raise standards by making collaborative learning a part of the culture. As there are now more than 1400 such Networks, student teachers need to be aware of them and what they can offer. The majority of local authorities are facilitating events to enable networks to meet together, to share best practice and to problem solve. It should be noted that although this is a Primary Strategy initiative, it does not preclude middle or secondary schools from being included in a Learning Network.
‘Evidence suggests that schools working and learning collaboratively offers an enormous opportunity for the improvement of teaching and learning throughout the country. Learning networks can unleash the collective potential of schools and teachers, so raising standards for pupils’. Primary National Strategy Learning Network. Mar 2005, DfES Standards site
The stated aim of the PNS Learning Network initiative is ‘to ensure that every teacher in every primary school, has the opportunity to work within a group of schools, strengthening pupil learning and implementing effective CPD programmes’.
6.2 What a network does
The PNS website goes on to outline the kinds of activity that would normally be expected within a learning network:
‘The activity would be determined by the focus but could include:
- visits to schools in the network;
- continuing professional development sessions drawing on, expertise from within the schools, advice from outside experts, published CPD materials including the PNS learning and teaching resources;
- across school planning and development groups;
- involvement of all staff, parents, governors and pupils; producing case studies and other documentation;
- evaluation;
- setting up a network web site to share developments;
- holding events to celebrate and advance the work of the network, e.g. exhibitions, activity days’.
As well as the PNS initiative, the National College for School Leadership (NCSL) also ran a programme from 2002-2006 on ‘Networked Learning Communities’. All the knowledge gained from the programme can be found online (link below).
6.3 Making your own local network
Where there are no formally organised networks, it is possible to make informal, perhaps short-term networks based around a particular focus or theme. It can be most beneficial for local clusters of schools, including cross-phase, to work in this way. For example:
- Sharing a writing focus week, where visiting authors go to several schools and there is a collaborative presentation as a result, perhaps in the form of a publication or display in the local library
- Using both pupil and teacher expertise to work on a creative arts project incorporating drama, art and music with the final result being performed in one or more of the participating schools
6.4 Activity
What ideas does the group have for working in collaboration with other schools? List the benefits that might come from such collaborative working, and use as the basis for a discussion. In pairs, students could role-play a conversation where one, as a teacher, tries to persuade the other, as their line manager, to consider a network activity with other local schools.
6.5 Useful Links
