The Power of Collective Leadership for Learning

Abstract

This chapter discusses the development and work of the Bright Spots Schools Connection, a collaborative network of schools launched by Social Ventures Australia in 2013. The collaborative network represents 50 schools across Australia, all serving schools in low socio-economic communities. The chapter explores the opportunities provided by networked leadership learning design as a leverage point for system transformation. The Bright Schools Connection is a model of leadership for learning enacted using a networked model with the underlying principle that as everyone is a learner, then everyone has a role to play and value to add. The purpose of networked collaboration for schools is to produce better learning outcomes, to become more effective and efficient in their work and to build the conditions for success collectively. It moves professional dialogue towards developing learning for meaning and purpose, in contrast to focusing on primarily narrow achievement goals, and recognises that professional judgements are built through collaborative inquiry. The network brings schools together around sharing new educational ideas and evidence so that the schools will apply new effective practices, build effective partnerships and increase their capacity to implement school improvement, thereby improving the school’s teaching and learning environment. A number of evaluations have found that, collectively, the schools have been able to achieve more than they could have when working alone. The Connection network leadership initiative highlights the potential of collective efficacy in systems design.