Learn to Transform: Developing a 21st Century Approach to Sustainable School Transformation

Learn to Transform presents a philosophy, style and approach to school improvement and transformation that responds to schools' current needs and aspirations. It shows how schools in all settings, and at any stage of development, can be transformed by identifying strategies to enable them to move forward. The Learn to Transform approach: Enables any school to explore where they are now and where they might be Identifies factors that will act as catalysts and/or inhibitors for the transformation journey Uniquely combines content and process elements with key cultural dynamics to offer a means of assuring transformation is successful. This second edition tests, trials and takes forward the original model with case studies of successful transformation in a range of different contexts. Transformation can be realisable, attainable and sustainable - this book offers a framework for you to engage confidently with the transformation agenda and provides a range of examples to encourage and support you in creating your own 'transformation journey'.

Table of Contents:
1. The journey begins 2. Defining and creating the capacity for Transformation 3. The 'both... and...' of management and leadership 4. Leadership as Catalyst for Transformation 5. Introducing the Four Stages of School Transformation 6. The Fourth Stage of School Transformation 7. Learning 'how' to Transform: The Process Elements, Leadership and Cultural Dynamics 8. Learning how to transform - exploring, exemplifying and extrapolating our transformation model In Summary Index

About the Author :
David Crossley is an independent education consultant. His proven, yet innovative ideas derive from leading four very different schools, design of a major internationally validated raising achievement program involving 700 schools in England and work with many other outstanding school leaders and academics. He is committed to 'school-led system leadership' and the 'by schools for schools' approach. In addition to his work in the UK he has contributed to school improvement programmes in the USA and the Middle East and is regularly invited to speak at a range of conference in the UK and internationally.

Review :
'Learn to Transform is a masterpiece of school improvement literature! Authors David Crossley and Graham Corbyn provide theory that is customized to fit a wide variety of particular school settings, vignettes that bristle with the messy on-the-ground realities of schools in challenging circumstances, and proven strategies for success. I learned an enormous amount from this book, which is a welcome addition to the change literature for school leaders in all countries and contexts.' Dennis Shirley, Professor of Education at the Lynch School of Education, Boston College, USA. 'We know that more of what we have done in the past will not create the ambitious future we have for our young people - a future where we can realistically expect that every young person is engaged, motivated and excited by learning and achievement so that they themselves act on the belief that there is never a ceiling on their potential. The real test of another book on school transformation is the ability to combine a compelling vision of what the next phase of transformation might look like with practical but inspirational case studies. This book does both with great conviction and in a very readable manner.' Dame Yasmin Bevan, DBE, Executive Principal and Headteacher of Denbigh High School and Challney High School for Boys, Luton, UK. (In 2009 Denbigh High School won the Times Educational Supplement's 'Secondary School of the Year'.) 'This is the book for our times. It properly encapsulates what we all now know to be true: the most effective and sustainable way for schools to improve is to work powerfully in partnership with each other. The great thing about this book is it shows how this actually happens, how any school can do it and how great achievement is possible for every one of our students. It confirms some of the best and most innovative approaches taking place in our schools and how these things can make a real difference. I have no hesitation in recommending it very highly.' Stephen Munday, Executive Principal, Comberton Village College, Cambridge, UK. 'This book adds immensely to our understanding of school improvement and is essential reading for all school leaders and teachers. In presenting a philosophy, style and distinctive approach to school improvement and transformation a fine balance is struck between theory and practice. Schools are challenged to think beyond the dependency of government led 'top down' initiatives; to be innovative and take charge of their transformation agendas. The authors demonstrate not only how to transform a school, but more importantly how to sustain transformation and the importance of cultural elements in that process. Learn To Transform informs, challenges and inspires.' Alan Yellup, Headteacher, Wakefield City High School, Wakefield, UK. 'Learn to Transform is both a timely and important book. For those committed to changing schools and school systems for the better, it provides a clear framework and a robust model of change. It also signals that transforming schools and school systems is within our reach and that securing better outcomes for all young people in all contexts is a real possibility.' Alma Harris, Professor and Pro-Director (Leadership), Institute of Education, University of London, UK. 'I am sure that Directors of Children's Services will welcome this exceptional book for its passionate commitment to raising the achievement of all students and for its succinct summary of current thinking. What will appeal to them most is that it sets out a flexible, very practical model which brilliantly combines the three key drivers of school improvement: content, process and culture. It stresses the imperative of empowering schools to drive their improvement and shows how school to school support can create the capacity to support that change.' Jonathan Crossley-Holland, Director, Strategy Children's Services & Local Authorities Tribal Group, and Former Director of Education Sheffield Praise for the 1st edition:'The English Secondary School system is in a time of profound transformation. This process has two key characteristics. First, schools are increasingly taking responsibility for their own development rather than relying on Government or external intervention; and secondly and crucially, they are also taking responsibility for each others' development. It is this commitment to system reform that is radically changing the landscape of the secondary system in England. In Learn to Transform David Crossley, a leading member of this movement, describes in concrete detail some of the key strategies and processes involved. This book provides a valuable contribution to the literature on School Transformation. It clearly indicates what needs to be done, eloquently describes strategies for transformation and provides tangible evidence that the transformation is indeed possible. Learn to Transform is at the same time both practical and optimistic.'Professor David Hopkins, HSBC iNet Chair of International Leadership, Institute of Education University of London, UK