Creating a Learning School

Creating a Learning School

by David Middlewood (Author), RichardParker (Author), Ms Jackie Beere (Author)

Synopsis

'Improving the quality of learning and teaching is the most important thing that school leaders do. This book contains much that will help the reader in that enterprise. It reflects the fact that much of what we know about effective, high-quality schools is already 'out there' in schools across the country. The book mines that gold. It is full of good sense, a treasure chest of helpful ideas which have the credibility of being grounded in case-study material, and in the experience of the authors, two of whom are practising headteachers. The book sets out the principles underpinning the Learning School, but offers also a strong pragmatic focus and is organized so that it can be dipped into and something worthwhile easily found. It sets out practical and specific steps to creating the Learning School and will support change and improvement in the professional practices involved in making a school a stimulating learning environment for adults as well as students' - Dr Martin J Coles, Assistant Director, National College for School Leadership

'[C]learly set out, passionately and well-written, covering much material, full of interesting insights, as one might expect from two head teachers and an acknowledged expert in the field... Lots of interesting thoughts and ideas, written in an accessible style. I would certainly recommend this book to my students' - ESCalate

The schools of the 21st century cannot continue to apply the techniques of the 20th century. 'New Learning' dispenses with outdated preoccupations with tests, targets, and leadership from above, and focuses on independence of learning and structural flexibility within schools.

The authors give a complete overview of how schools can adapt to meet changing needs. They look at the teacher as learner, learning outside the classroom, and the nature of leadership in learning schools, and provide practical solutions to the problems of staffing, resourcing and assessment.

This book is an invaluable resource for all mid-to-upper level managers in schools, anyone aspiring to these positions, or anyone who takes a longterm view of the future of educational practice.

$4.34

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Quantity

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
Published: 19 May 2005

ISBN 10: 1412910420
ISBN 13: 9781412910422

Media Reviews
'Improving the quality of learning and teaching is the most important thing that school leaders do. This book contains much that will help the reader in that enterprise. It reflects the fact that much of what we know about effective, high-quality schools is already `out there' in schools across the country. The book mines that gold. It is full of good sense, a treasure chest of helpful ideas which have the credibility of being grounded in case-study material, and in the experience of the authors, two of whom are practising headteachers. The book sets out the principles underpinning the Learning School, but offers also a strong pragmatic focus and is organized so that it can be dipped into and something worthwhile easily found. It sets out practical and specific steps to creating the Learning School and will support change and improvement in the professional practices involved in making a school a stimulating learning environment for adults as well as students' - Dr Martin J Coles, Assistant Director, National College for School Leadership
Author Bio
Richard Parker, PhD, is also a professor in the Department of Sociomedical Sciences in the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University in New York City as well as President of the Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association (ABIA) [http://www.abiaids.org.br/] in Rio de Janeiro. His major publications include Bodies, Pleasures and Passions: Sexual Culture in Contemporary Brazil (Boston: Beacon Press, 1991), Sexuality, Politics and AIDS in Brazil (written together with Herbert Daniel, London: The Falmer Press, 1993), Conceiving Sexuality: Approaches to Sex Research in a Postmodern World (edited together with John H. Gagnon, New York and London: Routledge, 1995), Beneath the Equator: Cultures of Desire, Male Homosexuality, and Emerging Gay Communities in Brazil (New York and London: Routledge, 1999), Culture, Society and Sexuality: A Reader (edited together with Peter Aggleton, London: UCL Press, 1999), Framing the Sexual Subject: The Politics of Gender, Sexuality and Power (edited together with Regina Maria Barbosa and Peter Aggleton, Berkeley, Los Angeles and London: University of California Press, 2000), Love and Globalization: Transformations of Intimacy in the Contemporary World (edited together with Mark B. Padilla, Jennifer S. Hirsch, Miguel Munoz-Laboy, and Robert E. Sember, Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 2007), SexPolitics: Reports from the Front Lines (edited together with Sonia Correa and Robert Sember, Sexuality Policy Watch, 2007), and Sexuality, Health and Human Rights (edited together Sonia Correa with Rosalind Petchesky, New York and London: Routledge, 2008). A second edition of his book, Bodies, Pleasures and Passions: Sexual Culture in Contemporary Brazil is currently in press (Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 2009). He serves on the editorial board for a range of scholarly journals, including Archives of Sex Research, Sexualities, the Journal of Sex Research, Sexuality Research and Social Policy, Health and Human Rights and Interface, and is editor-in-chief for the journal, Global Public Health. Prior to joining the faculty at Columbia University, in the early 1990s Dr. Parker was the founder and director of the Program in Gender, Sexuality and Health at the State University of Rio de Janeiro, which has been nationally and internationally recognized as the leading sexuality research and training program in Brazil. In 2002, Dr. Parker also founded, and has since co-chaired, Sexuality Policy Watch (formally named the International Working Group on Sexuality Research until 2006). He is also one of the Founding Editors of the journal, Culture, Health and Sexuality, which began publication in 1999 and has become one of the leading international journals for sexuality research, with by far the most multi-cultural editorial board and publication record of any sexuality journal in the world. Jackie became an Advanced Skills Teacher in 1999, training many teachers and school leaders across the UK in techniques for transforming learning and developing Emotional Intelligence. In 2002 Jackie received an OBE for services to education for her work in developing Learning to Learn initiatives and for leading national training for AST's. She then went on to become Headteacher of Campion School, Northamptonshire. In 2004, this large comprehensive school achieved a very good Ofsted report under her leadership. Jackie introduced several curriculum innovations in her school, including the RSA Opening Minds competency-based curriculum, until she left to take up consultancy and training work in 2006. She has also written several publications linked to transforming learning, including her latest books 'The Learner's Toolkit' and 'The Primary Learner's Toolkit' both full of materials to help teachers deliver lessons in social and emotional intelligence (SEAL) and to help develop independent learners. As a School Improvement Partner Jackie has worked for several LAs both in schools and Pupil Referral Units. Jackie is also a qualified NLP Master Practitioner, using NLP techniques to train students, teachers and leaders how to manage their thinking to produce excellent results. She also uses these skills as a successful life coach. Jackie has also worked with SSAT, the Campaign for Learning, the National College for School Leadership and as a BSF consultant. Her work as an author and trainer has established her reputation both nationally and internationally as a leading proponent and designer of innovative curricula designed to develop in children the skills required for independent learning.