History

OUR Education Network was founded in 2003. It is based on the processes developed and refined by Bill Martin as he led schools in the USA. Bill and his staffs generated evolving iterations of a shared visioning process. These schools earned State and National recognition for excellence. This work was based on John Edwards’ thirty years of research in schools and other organisations. The Network began with two schools in New Zealand in 2003, and by the end of 2010 will be close to one hundred schools. The Network currently covers six countries: Australia, New Zealand, the USA, UK, Sweden and Norway.

John brings a lifetime of research in thinking, learning, leadership, change and communication. Bill brings a lifetime of practical experience working in, and leading, schools at the primary, middle school and high school level. They are both nationally and internationally recognised for their work. OUR Education Network process is centred upon their shared passion for releasing and valuing human potential. Other members of our facilitator team bring similarly rich skills and experience.

The key characteristics of the OUR Education Network process are:

  • The school develops a shared vision through powerful processes designed to draw on the collective intellects, professional experience and values of all staff, and other members of the school community whose input is sought.
  • Teachers are passionate about doing the necessary school-based research to turn their shared vision into their reality over time.
  • A long-term school development plan, developed from action/ innovation tasks the staff generate themselves, is owned by staff and leads them to perform at the highest professional levels.
  • The process celebrates autonomy and interdependence at the same time.
  • The process develops a culture of leadership throughout the school.
  • Teachers take ownership for their own performance and for the continuous improvement of learning and wellbeing for both staff and students.
  • Deep personal coaching for the principal is a central focus.
  • The process is highly economical in that it makes future financial and resource decisions very clear and provides a seamless school-wide professional development program for all staff.