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Networked Learning

The Networked Learning Communities (NLC) programme was probably the largest programme for learning networks in the world to date. More than 134 school networks took part, involving approximately 35,000 staff and over 675,000 pupils.

The programme was launched in September 2002 by the National College and ran until 2006. Many networks have continued to develop beyond the end of the programme and their work has been a major influence on the formation of other partnership initiatives.

Through their work, these groups of schools have demonstrated the massive potential benefits that can come from working together – benefits that are visible at all levels, from pupils to school leaders.

Over the four years of the programme more than 50 publications, including development tools, research papers, thinkpieces, activities, magazines and accounts of practice, were developed with practitioners and compiled into a learning networks directory.

Many of the documents in the directory however related directly to the programme and are now outdated. Others supported collaborative learning within and between schools but did not consider the broader role for partnership working that has emerged in recent years as schools work increasingly with families and the wider community, including other services, higher and further education, agencies, organisations and businesses.

The catalogue of publications has therefore been reviewed to establish which documents remain useful to schools and local authorities as they work collaboratively on today’s important agendas such as, school to school leadership, extended services, succession planning, community cohesion, public value, reducing variation and closing the acheivement gap.

Background to networks - how and why they are established

  • 20 questions provides questions and answers about creating and maintaining a learning network, plus guidance on further research, practical tools and examples of practice.
  • Cracking the concrete takes exerpts from a conversation about how networks work across, within and around standard structures.
  • Where do system leaders come from? A report tracing the development of new patterns of leadership in school-to-school networks.
  • What does a system leader do? This discussion tool helps support groups to explore the practice of system leadership.

Creating and developing networks

The following publications have been highlighted by researchers and practitioners as the gems of the NLC collection, in that they provide practical guidance and an important platform of thinking and approach that is still directly relevant to practitioners today.

Leading networks

The impact of networks