Why do effective learning networks need a network learning focus, and how do you identify one which all schools own?

Successful learning networks have an underpinning moral purpose – all schools in the network need to believe they can achieve more for children if they work together. This underlying belief is the drive for network activities.

As well as having the underlying belief, an effective learning network identifies a specific network learning focus to ensure network activity takes place around an agreed topic. The network learning focus must respond to the needs of the network and be something which all adults, parents and pupils in the network can understand. A good network learning focus will motivate and encourage people to participate in network activities. Through the focus, networks should be seeking to add value to pupils’ learning in ways which would be possible if schools were working separately.
Draw your network learning focus from school-level data or contextual evidence that all members of the network can identify with.
Be clear about the topic for your network learning focus.
Identify a powerful, evidence-informed pupil learning process to underpin your work (e.g. Assessment For Learning, critical thinking skills).
Use data to help you define a core target group for your network learning focus.

Top tip: Data, data, data – base your network learning focus on evidence from research and practice and make it easily understandable.

BrightTribe learn grow prosper Trish Faney 2014