TRUST MATTERS!

We need to create learning organisations and my visits to schools recently have shown me once again that it is essential that leaders and teachers are involved in the co-construction of learning. I visit so many wonderful schools where peer learning activities give all staff, including headteachers, the opportunity to engage in professional dialogue about teaching and learning. This can only happen in a culture of high-trust and only if a headteacher is prepared to model teaching and learning to her colleagues.

Delegation and shared responsibility are also important. In successful schools, all staff and particularly school leaders, will model learning-focused leadership by constantly talking about learning and teaching. All staff should be seen as part of a learning team with golden threads that link them to the students and learners in the school. School leaders should aim to create a culture where all staff and students are learning from each other and teaching each other.