Written for staff in schools and colleges, this book offers the challenge and support necessary to understand, analyze and adopt coaching, mentoring and peer-networking mechanisms as an essential part of the development of professional learning within an organisation. Drawing on the new national strategy for professional development, it emphasises the importance of learning with and from other colleagues, helping your organisation to become a professional learning community and supporting the drive to raise standards and attainment. Organised into nine distinct but interrelated chapters, this is an invaluable sourcebook of practical information for in-service training. It contains a range of stimulating activities which engage the reader and encourages reflection on: * the nature and importance of professional development in schools and colleges * the potential benefits and difficulties associated with coaching, mentoring and peer-networking * factors essential to the successful establishment and management of coaching and mentoring programmes * team leadership and leadership coaching * the role of the coach, mentor and networker with respect to the creation of professional learning communities.

Written for staff in schools and colleges, this book offers the challenge and support necessary to understand, analyze and adopt coaching, mentoring and peer-networking mechanisms as an essential part of the development of professional learning within an organisation. Drawing on the new national strategy for professional development, it emphasises the importance of learning with and from other colleagues, helping your organisation to become a professional learning community and supporting the drive to raise standards and attainment. Organised into nine distinct but interrelated chapters, this is an invaluable sourcebook of practical information for in-service training. It contains a range of stimulating activities which engage the reader and encourages reflection on: * the nature and importance of professional development in schools and colleges * the potential benefits and difficulties associated with coaching, mentoring and peer-networking * factors essential to the successful establishment and management of coaching and mentoring programmes * team leadership and leadership coaching * the role of the coach, mentor and networker with respect to the creation of professional learning communities.

In February 1994 Northicote School, situated in a deprived area of Wolverhampton, was the first in the country to be named and shamed, OfSTED called the school 'appalling in almost every way'. Then Geoff Hampton took over as head - five years later he was awarded a knighthood for transforming the fortunes of this failing school; and its pupils. This book pulls out the key points from the five year programme and shares successful strategies with other heads, governors and teachers. Full of clear advice and guidance fro new and experienced headteachers, containing sections on: Managing the reactions of staff and pupils to an unfavourable OfStED report Finding a positive route to improvement _ Action planning _ Staff and pupil issues _ The role of the headteacher _ Changing the culture of the school _ Involving the wider community _ _ This story is inspirational but it is grounded in the practical realities facing headteachers and senior management teams in education today. The reader cannot fail to be motivated by what has been achieved.