Formalise, prioritise and mobilise: how school leaders secure the benefits of professional learning networks

Brown, C and Flood, J (2019) Formalise, prioritise and mobilise: how school leaders secure the benefits of professional learning networks. Emerald, Leeds. ISBN 9781787697782

Official URL: https://bookstore.emerald.com/formalise-prioritise...

Abstract

Professional learning networks (PLN) of teachers and others (such as university researchers) collaborating outside of their everyday community of practice are considered to be an effective way to foster school improvement. At the same time, to generate change, PLNs require effective support from school leaders. Such support should be directed at ensuring those participating in PLNs can engage in network learning activities; also that this activity can be meaningfully mobilised within participant's schools. What is less well understood however are the actions school leaders might engage in to provide this support. To address this knowledge gap, this book presents a case study of how senior leaders attempted to maximise the effectiveness of participating in PLNs for one learning network: the New Forest Research Learning Network (RLN) - a specific type of PLN designed to facilitate research-informed change at scale. In-depth semi-structured interviews with RLN participants, as well as impact data and policy documents, have been used to ascertain the types of leadership practices employed and their nature (i.e. whether geared towards prioritising, formalising or mobilising the work of the PLN). Also presented is an assessment of the perceived effectiveness of these practices and suggestions for the type of leadership activity that appear to maximise the effectiveness of schools engaging in professional learning networks more generally.

Item Type: Book
Keywords: education, administration in education, policy in education
Divisions: School of Education
Date Deposited: 13 Jun 2025 14:41
Last Modified: 13 Jun 2025 14:41
URI / Page ID: https://researchspace.bathspa.ac.uk/id/eprint/17115
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