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‘You are the true change-makers in our country today. You are lifting the sights of our young people, teaching them better, educating them more profoundly and to a higher standard than ever before in our country’s history. It is an amazing achievement. Thank you.’
These are the words of the UK’s Prime Minister - Tony Blair - speaking at the 14th National Conference for schools affiliated to the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust. It was a wonderful endorsement of the work of the 2000 headteachers and senior leaders from the UK who attended the conference. However, the audience also contained headteachers from schools affiliated to iNet - SSAT’s international arm. There were delegates from Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Wales and the USA. All were attending for the same reason - to find effective practice that can help them improve their school.
The national conference had over 80 school showcases, with international contributions from Adelaide, Boston, British Columbia and Melbourne. For many delegates, the school showcases were the highlight of the conference. The quality of the presentations and the discussions that followed ensured that delegates were challenged to think about innovation in their school. Innovation designed to provide schooling suitable for the 21st century.
Snapshots provides another opportunity for schools and practitioners to showcase their work. The writers willingly share their journey of innovation and are prepared to say what worked and what didn’t. It is important to recognise that schools are at different points in their work and achieve their vision in different ways. Some writers describe radical innovation that has required a dramatic re-engineering of their school. Others write about small steps that have started the change process. All articles are valuable as they make us think about practice and getting things right for students.
SSAT works on the principle of ‘by schools, for schools’. Creating the time to network and to share ideas and practice helps practitioners and school leaders to reflect on their work and the way forward. iNet brings together educators from around the world. In Birmingham at the national conference we saw that we face the same issues and challenges. We felt the desire to work together to give all students, wherever they live, an education fit for the 21st century.
Sue Williamson Director of Leadership and Innovation Specialist Schools and Academies Trust