Change Management

Understanding change

Change and innovation are an essential part of schools. After all the core business of schools is learning. This includes the need for school leaders to continuously learn about best practice from any source and to rapidly convert this learning into action. However, we all know the dangers of the school leader coming back from a visit or workshop full of bright initiatives which fall flat as soon as they try and introduce them into their own context.

Whilst it is in the nature of schools as learning organizations to continuously evolve to ensure that it prepares its students to flourish in a fast changing world it is the challenge of the school leader to manage this change so that progress is sustained and people do not suffer from initiative fatigue.

In this section of the website we will:

  • Recognize that individuals have different perspectives and contexts when facing change.
  • Identify the challenges and risks of implementing change within schools.
  • Understand how facilitative leaders can manage risk to support productive change.

Guiding questions

  • What are the opportunities, risks, consequences and responsibilities of change? (inquiry)
  • How can leaders guide the redefining of connections? (action)

  • Learning is learning – to what degree do time, place, and space matter? (reflection)

Do you have a theory of change?

"Setting up a Theory of Change is like making a roadmap that outlines the steps by which you plan to achieve your goal. It helps you define whether your work is contributing towards achieving the impact you envision, and if there is another way that you need to consider as well." (DIY: Development, Impact & You)

Theory of change tool: click HERE.

What is change management? A short introduction.

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Reflect

In the following pages we inquire into the following issues and provide you with tools to use with your colleagues:

  • Is your school culture one which embraces or resists change?
  • What is the nature of the changes schools are facing as they prepare students to flourish in the 21st century?
  • How do key stakeholders in your school perceive change processes?
  • What is the role of leadership in managing change?
  • How can leaders manage change and sustainable development in a constantly changing environment?

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