Thread by @Inner_Drive

Back to our talks now at the #TandLSummit with @Thinkingschool2, who is going back through some of the most interesting points raised by speakers and delegates raised throughout the day.

"The most important people in school, after the students, are the classroom teachers", because what has the greatest impact on the students is the quality of teaching.

We're working within a system based on competition and performance - but Kulvarn argues that a culture of learning, using collaboration, is key.

This starts at the top - leadership is crucial.
But leadership is crucial at all levels, including from classroom teachers.

One of them raised their difficulty in influencing the teaching & learning strategies at their school with more experienced teachers and leaders earlier.

Allowing these teachers with ideas and initiatives to take ownership can transform a school.

Kulvarn has 5 concerns about teacher improvement:
- The quality of teacher learning experiences
- Opportunities for teachers to engage in research
- Retaining teachers
- Quality of teacher well-being
- Developing learning-focused leadership

When Kulvarn's school got an Ofsted rating 3 in 2012, he was discouraged by the inspector to apply his plan: focusing on each change and reviewing the lessons, using the ones that worked in the future. He did it anyway.

The results?
The school received 4 consecutive Mayor of London's Schools for Success awards, was placed in the top 10% of schools nationally for pupil progress and has had a budget for recruitment, retention and advertising of... £28.

So, what makes a dynamic learning community?
- Research-based practice
- Collaborative CPL & planning
- Peer learning/lesson study
- Team teaching
- Non judgmental lesson observations
- More time available during the school day
- Learning-focused leaders
- Coaching for all