Communities of Practice

The best education systems in the world are highly networked. These systems have principals who are well connected to their peers through active partnerships and learning networks of schools. These networks are known as Communities of Practice (CoP).

Victorian schools take a CoP approach so networks and system leaders can share knowledge, experience and resources to improve leadership practice and student outcomes.

The CoP approach involves educational leaders working collaboratively to take collective responsibility for improving the outcomes and wellbeing of each and every student in Victoria.

When leaders work together they can prioritise areas for improvement, share their knowledge, and learn together to strengthen their leadership practice.

Effective CoP are characterised by an unrelenting focus on improvement, a strong culture of transparency, reflective professional inquiry and evidence-based decision making. They share a long-term vision for learning improvement through collaborative conversations. They have the ability to support a cultural shift and build trust in networks and across the system.

The power of collaboration

Collaboration is the way forward for our schools. Research shows that effective school networks that focus on a collaborative effort to improve student outcomes can make a difference.

The CoP approach is a powerful way to lift student performance, reduce disadvantage and address the high variability of student outcomes across schools and classrooms. It puts students at the centre of decision making.

The effectiveness and power of CoP is evident in the way principals supported each other during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The groundwork to implement CoP helps networks to flourish, build trust, confidence and courage, and work together in the interests of the children and young people they serve.

Victorian schools leading the way

Victorian school networks have adopted this unique CoP approach to support each other and work together to improve student outcomes. They have formed productive and purposeful collaborations that are continually progressing and strengthening.

These communities are centred around sharing resources and knowledge. A strong culture of transparency provides the opportunity for regular sharing and analysis of data. For some communities, this involves classroom visits to each other's schools to provide feedback and evidence to inform planning and build teaching practice and expertise.

These communities foster strong engagement and collaboration with external agencies, such as local organisations, tertiary institutions and businesses, to bring communities together to focus on students' wellbeing and learning outcomes.

Resources

Learn more about how the approach via our resources page.