The persistent challenge of achieving excellence and equity within education systems has renewed interest in generating context-specific solutions through localised school networks. But how can successful school networks be developed?

Based around the lifecycle of a network, this book traces the development of a network from its initial inception, exploring the ways in which it can be sustained and remain capable of meeting the future challenges faced by schools and their communities. The book explores a series of important issues facing school leaders, including:

• the benefits of investing time and energy in networks with other schools and communities
• the particular problems faced by schools and the education system which are best tackled by network-based solutions
• the advantages for schools and communities of engaging with collaborative reform agenda
• the ways in which networks can be managed, and the differences between leading a school or a team and a network
• the elements which make an effective network.

The book draws on UK and international research to discuss the development and leadership of networks and to outline a number of tried-and-tested leadership approaches. In addition, the authors draw on their own experience and research to provide accounts of real networks to expose the realities of networking. Each chapter tackles a key leadership issue and ends with a series of tools to support those leading and facilitating networks tackle these in practice.

This book will be of interest to practising school leaders, network co-ordinators, postgraduate students and those researching educational leadership and school improvement.