Beyond the Virus: Planning for a Better Learning Future in Your School
Now that we are well into the delivery of learning during the virus, it might be the opportune time to be thinking about and planning for the ‘new normal’ for learning beyond the virus.
We cannot be sure what that new normal will comprise but, as with all disruptions to routine there will be both threats and opportunities presented when children and staff return to school.
We can be sure that, after this tremendous shock to the system, there will be a considerable impetus to return to the certainty of doing things the way we did before the virus struck. Such force represents inertia and must be resisted at all costs.
‘The way we used to do things’ has some absolute gems of practice, as well as some elements which detract from the process and outcomes of learning. These, to mix metaphors, are the barnacles which detract from the quality and consistency of the learning process in your school – the ‘in-house variations’ in outcomes which impact on the life chances of individual children in your care.
This is a time to discard the ineffective, even when it is comfortable, and re-focus on what will improve the learning experience, and ability to learn autonomously and independently of both your students and staff. In short, to explore and enhance the attitudes, values and cultural norms that drive your school.
I offer two books by way of support to this filtering and finessing process for thinking through development strategies for your own school.
Future Proof Your School explores the school improvement process at a cultural level which engages and challenges all staff. It is practical but based on a firm foundation of theoretical knowledge and implementation strategies. The book provides case studies, templates and triangulation points to capture a development profile of your school and build your own strategic development plan for learning which is sustainable.
Re-Examining Success looks at the learning process in fine detail and the assumptions that underpin it. The aim is to enable learners, teachers and staff, to be reflective in their attitude to new learning experiences and to develop a language of improvement which is progressive and autonomous. Again, case studies, templates and triangulation points enable a school to evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to its sustainable development as a learning organisation which values the potential of every student and does those things which enable each student to become an autonomous and independent learner.
I can support your development efforts, by showing you how to implement the strategies outlined in the books.
Stay well, stay safe and plan for a better learning future now!
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The Learning Renaissance 
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