Page 18 - Beginning Principal Booklet

Learning Square Meetings

Learning Square Meetings should be held at least once every two
months during the programme. They should last for about three hours
and, if possible, take place at different principal’s schools on a
rotational basis. The Sponsors will schedule and organise the Learning
Square Meetings – you should be as supportive as possible of this.
Without the dedication and commitment of the BPs Learning Squares
will not work effectively. During the previous blue skies programmes
we found a tremendous difference in the effectiveness of Learning
Squares depending on a number of factors. Below are some of our
findings.

Effective Learning Square Meetings Ineffective Learning Square Meetings

 Had a definite purpose and structure.  Had no purpose or structure, were just
‘talk-fasts’.
 BPs arrived on time and were willing  BPs did not approach the meetings
to travel for meetings. They did not seriously, arrived late or made excuses
make excuses about why they could for why they could not attend.
not attend, they made it a
priority.
 All Learning Square members  One BP dominated discussion and was
contributed equally, but made insensitive to others’ problems.
allowances if a colleague faced a par-
ticular problem.
 BPs approached Learning Square  BPs approached the meetings as
Meetings enthusiastically and something they ‘had to do’.
consciously took new learning ‘away’
with them.
 BPs took the time to prepare for the  BPS did not prepare for the Learning
Learning Square Meetings. Square
Meetings.
 BPs looked forward to the meetings  BPs just went ‘through the motions’.
and what they could learn.
 BPs trusted the Sponsor and their  BPs did not feel particular close to their
colleagues, felt safe to talk openly and Sponsors or colleagues and were
believed their colleagues cared about reluctant to open up.
their problems and development.
 BPs made good things happen.  BPs simply let things happen.

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