Page 18 - Overview

Learning Configurations

Learning is an option, improvement is not.

This may seem a strange thing to say in a programme for school leaders. it means
that we recognise the expertise of the leaders who come into the programme
and that in some cases we can’t teach you anything new (even though we are
going to try). What Links is about is linking what leaders already know with other
ways to improve their leadership in their school and then to link with leaders in
other schools to do the same.

We don’t know you when you come into the programme. To begin with we
have no idea of your knowledge base, disposition or capability. We do, however,
recognise the expertise, prior knowledge and skills you inevitably bring with
you. in many areas you’ll know far more than us or any of the presenters – we
know this. some of you will have deep knowledge in areas where others know
nothing.

Recognising this reality we have attempted to design learning configurations
which not only link individuals and groups at different levels but also ‘open the
arteries’ and therefore encourage you to spread, share and scale up.

Links is structured around:

1. individual Leaders
2. Learning Alliances (with directors)
3. Learning Precincts (with Connectors)
4. A Learning Cohort

individual leaders will be organized into a Learning Alliance (normally with two
other participants from the same school and one experienced leader from
another school). Learning Alliances will be grouped into larger structures called
Learning Precincts. All Precincts taken together form the overall Learning Cohort.

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