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Programme structure

International Leadership Learning Programme

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Phase 1: Preparation and research
Pre-reading
Workshop A
Research/site visits
Checkpoint
Workshop B
Phase 2: International study visit
Phase 3: Dissemination, school and leadership development
Workshop C
Disseminating learning and implementing action plans
International Leadership Learning Forum

Phase 1: Preparation and research

Pre-reading

Access key documents to support your learning prior to first face-to-face session.

Workshop A: Focusing the enquiry
(2 months prior to the international visit)

Face-to-face session with two or three other groups.
Meet the rest of your group and group facilitator.
Research and enquiry skills focus, exploring your enquiry theme and study visit destination. (Each member of the group will be asked to report back on their individual research in Workshop B.).

Previous participants share their experience of international leadership learning.

All face-to-face activity is mandatory.

Research/site visits

Undertake individual research on behalf of the group and carry out an appreciative inquiry in your own school/organisation
Access key documents.

Checkpoint

At this stage of the programme, a checkpoint is used to ensure that participants have attended the compulsory workshop, have undertaken their agreed research and have agreed the programme protocols and a code of conduct. This is a requirement to continue with the programme. If a participant has not been able to attend Workshop A, they cannot proceed with the programme. If there were extenuating circumstances, an alternative day/programme may be offered.

Workshop B: Enquiry methods
(2 weeks prior to the international study visit)

Face-to-face session for individual groups, facilitated by the group facilitator.
Feedback on each member's research agreed at Workshop A.
Confirm the lines of enquiry to be shared with the visit hosts and consider how the group could contribute to the hosts' leadership learning.
Examine reporting requirements and decide how to record the learning while on the international visit.

Following this workshop, a detailed itinerary will be confirmed with the host. This should also establish what reciprocal learning arrangements can be put in place so that the group has an opportunity to share information and resources with host schools and organisations.

Phase 2: International visit

The international visit takes place over seven to ten days. Each group will explore the culture and context of the destination, the educational system, school leadership and the agreed enquiry theme. The visit will include presentations, workshops and dialogue at the policy and academic level, and school visits and school leader shadowing at the practitioner level.

The group will reconvene regularly throughout the visit to reflect and discuss their leadership learning and how this may benefit their schools and the system upon their return.

Phase 3: Dissemination and school leadership and development

Workshop C: Sharing learning and agreeing action
(approximately 6 weeks after the visit)

Face-to-face session for individual groups, drawing together key learning.
Plan the report on the group's international learning.
Agree a dissemination strategy - this could include outputs such as a toolkit, publication or video.
Consider producing a joint account (between the group and host) of the learning that took place during the visit and resulting outcomes and recommendations.
Further explore the notion of system leadership and the anticipated impact that the learning from the visit will have on three levels: individual, school and whole system. This is formalised through individual action plans and participants will establish clear goals and outcomes both individually and collectively.
Opportunity to continue the collaboration and look towards becoming a self-sustaining powerful learning network.

Disseminating learning and implementing action plans

Complete the group report for publication on the RTU website.
Execute agreed dissemination strategy.
Finalise and carry out individual action plans.

International Leadership Learning Forum
(approximately 9 months after the international study visit)

Attended by three or four groups to share learning, celebrate success and look forward to what happens next.
Groups will share progress on their dissemination strategy and the impact that the international visit has had so far. Participants will examine the direct links with the school development plan and the self-evaluation framework to identify benefits and potential future impact.
Individual groups will look forward to how they will sustain learning and develop opportunities for further learning within and beyond their schools.

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