Creating a Learning School

'It is full of good sense, a treasure chest of helpful ideas which have the credibility of being grounded in case-study material, and in the experience of the authors, two of whom are practising headteachers. The book sets out the principles underpinning the learning school, but offers also a strong pragmatic focus and is organized so that it can be dipped into and something worthwhile easily found—It will support change and improvement in the professional practices involved in making a school a stimulating learning environment for adults as well as students' - Dr Martin J Coles, Assistant Director, National College for School Leadership The 'learning school' described in this book suggests an alternative to the preoccupation with tests, targets, and leadership from above, and focuses instead on independence of learning and structural flexibility within schools. The authors give a complete overview of how schools can adapt to meet changing needs. They look at the teacher as learner, learning outside the classroom, and the nature of leadership in the learning school. Practical suggestions to the problems of staffing, resourcing and assessment are all covered, enabling those in schools to make their own choices. This book is an invaluable resource for all mid-to-upper level managers in schools, anyone aspiring to these positions, or anyone who takes a long-term view of the future with learning at the heart of educational practice. David Middlewood is a research associate of the University of Lincoln. Richard Parker is Principal of Beauchamp College, Leicestershire. Jackie Beere OBE is Headteacher at Campion School. Annotation 'Improving the quality of learning and teaching is the most important thing that school leaders do. This book contains much that will help the reader in that enterprise. It reflects the fact that much of what we know about effective, high-quality schools is already €˜out there€™ in schools across the country. The book mines that gold. It is full of good sense, a treasure chest of helpful ideas which have the credibility of being grounded in case-study material, and in the experience of the authors, two of whom are practising headteachers. The book sets out the principles underpinning the Learning School, but offers also a strong pragmatic focus and is organized so that it can be dipped into and something worthwhile easily found. It sets out practical and specific steps to creating the Learning School and will support change and improvement in the professional practices involved in making a school a stimulating learning environment for adults as well as students' - Dr Martin J Coles, Assistant Director, National College for School Leadership '[C]learly set out, passionately and well-written, covering much material, full of interesting insights, as one might expect from two head teachers and an acknowledged expert in the field... Lots of interesting thoughts and ideas, written in an accessible style. I would certainly recommend this book to my students' - ESCalate The schools of the 21st century cannot continue to apply the techniques of the 20th century. 'New Learning' dispenses with outdated preoccupations with tests, targets, and leadership from above, and focuses on independence of learning and structural flexibility within schools. The authors give a complete overview of how schools can adapt to meet changing needs. They look at the teacher as learner, learning outside the classroom, and the nature of leadership in learning schools, and provide practical solutions to the problems of staffing, resourcing and assessment. This book is an invaluable resource for all mid-to-upper level managers in schools, anyone aspiring to these positions, or anyone who takes a longterm view of the future of educational practice

‘It is full of good sense, a treasure chest of helpful ideas which have the credibility of being grounded in case-study material, and in the experience of the authors, two of whom are practising headteachers. The book sets out the principles underpinning the learning school, but offers also a strong pragmatic focus and is organized so that it can be dipped into and something worthwhile easily found...It will support change and improvement in the professional practices involved in making a school a stimulating learning environment for adults as well as students' - Dr Martin J Coles, Assistant Director, National College for School Leadership

The ‘learning school’ described in this book suggests an alternative to the preoccupation with tests, targets, and leadership from above, and focuses instead on independence of learning and structural flexibility within schools.

The authors give a complete overview of how schools can adapt to meet changing needs. They look at the teacher as learner, learning outside the classroom, and the nature of leadership in the learning school. Practical suggestions to the problems of staffing, resourcing and assessment are all covered, enabling those in schools to make their own choices.

This book is an invaluable resource for all mid-to-upper level managers in schools, anyone aspiring to these positions, or anyone who takes a long-term view of the future with learning at the heart of educational practice.

David Middlewood is a research associate of the University of Lincoln.
Richard Parker is Principal of Beauchamp College, Leicestershire.
Jackie Beere OBE is Headteacher at Campion School.

'It is full of good sense, a treasure chest of helpful ideas which have the credibility of being grounded in case-study material, and in the experience of the authors, two of whom are practising headteachers. The book sets out the principles underpinning the learning school, but offers also a strong pragmatic focus and is organized so that it can be dipped into and something worthwhile easily found It will support change and improvement in the professional practices involved in making a school a stimulating learning environment for adults as well as students' "- Dr Martin J Coles, Assistant Director, National College for School Leadership The 'learning school' described in this book suggests an alternative to the preoccupation with tests, targets, and leadership from above, and focuses instead on independence of learning and structural flexibility within schools. The authors give a complete overview of how schools can adapt to meet changing needs. They look at the teacher as learner, learning outside the classroom, and the nature of leadership in the learning school. Practical suggestions to the problems of staffing, resourcing and assessment are all covered, enabling those in schools to make their own choices. This book is an invaluable resource for all mid-to-upper level managers in schools, anyone aspiring to these positions, or anyone who takes a long-term view of the future with learning at the heart of educational practice. David Middlewood is a research associate of the University of Lincoln.Richard Parker is Principal of Beauchamp College, Leicestershire.Jackie Beere OBE is Headteacher at Campion School. This book attempts to take a whole school view of approaches to making learning central, so that staffing and structures, external links and resources, are all dealt with in examining ways in which learning schools can evolve. The belief is that unless every aspect of a school's life is put under scrutiny, an emphasis on learning will remain an 'add on'. This of course does not mean everything can be attempted at once! School leaders and managers are astute people and know that what you do next depends on what you are doing now. Nearly all the chapters therefore include suggestions for practical and specific steps to consider as the next step. A model has been set out for change within which these steps can be taken. The authors present the chapters as follows: (1) What will Learning Schools Look Like?; (2) "Why Learning Schools are Needed; (3) "Leadership for Learning Schools; (4) Staffing in Learning Schools; (5) Teachers as Learners; (6) Resourcing the Learning Environment; (7) How We Learn in the "Classroom"; (8) Creating the Contexts for Effective Student Learning; (9) Learning and Transition; (10) Assessment for Learning; (11) The Role of Parents in the Learning School; and (12) Moving beyond Conventional Schooling 'Creating a Learning School' gives a complete overview of how schools can adapt to meet changing needs. They look at the teacher as learner and learning outside the classroom, as well as providing practical solutions to the problems of staffing, resourcing and assessment