School Networks – Learning From Other Schools to Create Stronger Communities

Schools don’t exist in silos. The most innovative and successful schools actively engage with other schools—not just for competition, but for collaboration, learning, and shared opportunities.

As leaders, we need to ask: Are we leveraging school networks to benefit our students, staff, and school culture?

Why School Networks Matter

1. Learning from Other Schools – No school has all the answers, but every school is doing something well. Sharing best practices benefits everyone.

2. Opportunities for Students & Staff – Sports, cultural exchanges, and professional development create experiences that wouldn’t exist in isolation.

3. Stronger Schools = Stronger Communities – When schools collaborate, everyone benefits—students, teachers, and even parents.

How to Strengthen Your School’s Network

If your school isn’t actively connected with others, here are practical ways to start:

✅ Start a Visiting Campus Program – Partner with another school and arrange exchange visits for middle leaders, teachers, and students to learn from each other.

✅ Host Joint Professional Development Days – Invite schools to collaborate on training sessions for staff. It fosters learning, networking, and professional growth.

✅ Organize Inter-School Competitions & Cultural Events – Sports tournaments, debate competitions, and shared cultural festivals create healthy engagement beyond the classroom.

✅ Collaborate on Shared Challenges – Facing enrollment issues, teacher retention struggles, or curriculum changes? Talk to other school leaders—chances are, they’ve been through it too.

Your Challenge:

Find one way to connect your school with another school this term. Could you organize a shared event? Set up a leadership exchange? What step will you take?

Strong schools learn from each other. Is your school engaging in its wider network?