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Two heads better than one
10th February 2023
Education and learning teaches us many things, but one of the more significant concepts is that no one mind or individual knows all. Even the greatest thinkers of our time, Darwin, Curie, Aristotle, Johnson or Hawking, will all conclude that their work was influenced, contributed, founded and improved by working with others.
At Learning Partners one of our founding values is that we are ‘better together’. Indeed, this was the theme for our trust wide conference in January. The fundamental principle in learning is the fusion of ideas and concepts, skills and knowledge. This happens on an interdisciplinary basis and also amongst individuals. To see colleagues leading one another, exploring effective practices and learning was inspiring. Our teach meet style event enabled us to explore and develop this principle.
Academy Trusts are built on the premise that together we can support and encourage, celebrate and guide each other. This will remain our foundation. We should be challenged by each other. Teachers should be able to see practice and ideas from their classrooms, departments, schools and phases and feel encouraged and challenged to enhance their provision for their children. This also rings true for our support staff colleagues. Whether our media and marketing group or our new to Learning Support Assistant training that is taking place as I write, we come together to become better. This must be our purpose.
Curriculum design calls on the same promise. Great curricula explore links and connects, forges new thought and opens up new understanding. We often view the curriculum as a set of examinations (because children receive specific grades at the end) however true learning makes links and connections and forges new comprehension. This is more difficult undertaken alone. Now interaction and learning from others does not always need to be based face-to-face. The pandemic and online learning has taught us this.
Studying textbooks, academic literature, certain parts of twitter even, can spark debate productively and beneficially. But we must also not forget that through conversation and challenge we learn. This is why we ask our children to verbalise and discuss; even to use their ‘learning partners’.
This week our meeting of headteachers illustrated this point clearly. It was inspiring to bring together learned professional to debate and direct the future agenda of the trust and share responses to the challenges we face. Held at the Riverworks building (the location of the new Surrey Maths School and trust central offices) we came together and through our partnership became better. I am often reminded that we cannot effectively run schools and teach the children successfully if the way we operate does not chime with our endeavours. How we do things reflects what we are trying to be.
Learning Partners will always have collaboration at its heart. We are a family of schools striving to make a difference to the children, families, and communities we serve. We can only do this together. Where ‘two heads are better than one’.
Have a great half term.
Jack Mayhew, CEO, Learning Partners
Education and learning teaches us many things, but one of the more significant concepts is that no one mind or individual knows all. Even the greatest thinkers of our time, Darwin, Curie, Aristotle, Johnson or Hawking, will all conclude that their work was influenced, contributed, founded and improved by working with others.
At Learning Partners one of our founding values is that we are ‘better together’. Indeed, this was the theme for our trust wide conference in January. The fundamental principle in learning is the fusion of ideas and concepts, skills and knowledge. This happens on an interdisciplinary basis and also amongst individuals. To see colleagues leading one another, exploring effective practices and learning was inspiring. Our teach meet style event enabled us to explore and develop this principle.
Academy Trusts are built on the premise that together we can support and encourage, celebrate and guide each other. This will remain our foundation. We should be challenged by each other. Teachers should be able to see practice and ideas from their classrooms, departments, schools and phases and feel encouraged and challenged to enhance their provision for their children. This also rings true for our support staff colleagues. Whether our media and marketing group or our new to Learning Support Assistant training that is taking place as I write, we come together to become better. This must be our purpose.
Curriculum design calls on the same promise. Great curricula explore links and connects, forges new thought and opens up new understanding. We often view the curriculum as a set of examinations (because children receive specific grades at the end) however true learning makes links and connections and forges new comprehension. This is more difficult undertaken alone. Now interaction and learning from others does not always need to be based face-to-face. The pandemic and online learning has taught us this.
Studying textbooks, academic literature, certain parts of twitter even, can spark debate productively and beneficially. But we must also not forget that through conversation and challenge we learn. This is why we ask our children to verbalise and discuss; even to use their ‘learning partners’.
This week our meeting of headteachers illustrated this point clearly. It was inspiring to bring together learned professional to debate and direct the future agenda of the trust and share responses to the challenges we face. Held at the Riverworks building (the location of the new Surrey Maths School and trust central offices) we came together and through our partnership became better. I am often reminded that we cannot effectively run schools and teach the children successfully if the way we operate does not chime with our endeavours. How we do things reflects what we are trying to be.
Learning Partners will always have collaboration at its heart. We are a family of schools striving to make a difference to the children, families, and communities we serve. We can only do this together. Where ‘two heads are better than one’.
Have a great half term.
Jack Mayhew, CEO, Learning Partners
