Season 4: Episode 4 - Agile Leaders of Learning: Ed Vainker
Jan 31, 2022
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Exploring the crucial role of well-connected schools in educational networks, the establishment and evolution of Reach Academy, community hub collaboration challenges, motivation in a network setting, and collaborative partnerships for community support and mental health.
Implementing an all-through model in education fosters continuity and support from early years to adulthood, addressing transition challenges.
Community involvement is crucial for overcoming barriers to learning and supporting families from conception to young adulthood.
Collaborative networks like the Felton Convening Partnership require balance between ambitious progress and patience for systemic change, emphasizing relational meetings and community organizing principles.
Deep dives
Evolution of Reach Academy into Reach Children's Hub and Felton Convening Partnership
Reach Academy, founded as an all-through state-funded school in 2012, evolved into Reach Children's Hub in 2017 to broaden its impact from cradle to career. Inspired by the Strive organization, the Felton Convening Partnership was established in 2019 to tackle systemic barriers young people face. This collective impact project unites organizations in Felton to address complex problems in the community.
Cradle to Career Approach and Seamlessness in Education
Reach Academy's all-through model aims to create continuity in educational and pastoral support from early years to adulthood, addressing the ruptures students typically face transitioning between schools. Recognizing the significance of early years, Reach emphasizes community involvement to support families and overcome barriers to learning from conception to young adulthood.
Formation of Steering Group and Working Groups for Collective Impact
The Felton Convening Partnership involves a diverse steering group representing various local institutions, universities, community leaders, and the council, emphasizing community engagement. Working groups focus on mental health and post-16 transitions, leveraging collaborations with local counseling services and GP services to address complex issues. The backbone team ensures progress and momentum between meetings, fostering a governance structure for effective impact.
Challenges and Insights on Network Leadership and Motivation
The network's evolution posed challenges in balancing ambitious progress with the patience required for systemic change, emphasizing the importance of pacing change effectively. Aligning Daniel Pink's motivation principles—autonomy, purpose, and mastery—empowers network members to drive impactful change collaboratively. Building relationships, investing in community organizing strategies, and fostering shared purpose underpin the success of the network's transformative endeavors.
Engagement and Response to COVID-19: Collaborative Community Initiatives
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a swift response from the network, rallying 52 organizations to tackle food security, isolation, and financial hardships in Felton. By facilitating collaborative efforts and pooling resources, the network expanded food bank capacities significantly, demonstrating the power of collective action in times of crisis and reinforcing the value of community relationships.
Advice for Aspiring Network Leaders: Embracing Community Organizing Principles
Future network leaders are advised to adopt community organizing principles, emphasizing relational meetings, listening, and relationship-building as essential foundations for sustainable change. Cultivating strong relationships, investing in community connections, and prioritizing shared objectives drive successful network initiatives and foster enduring community partnerships.
The final part of our 4 part series with the Agile Leaders of Learning Innovation Network contributors. This episode features Ed Vainker, CEO of Reach Foundation. It is hosted by Susan Douglas, Senior Advisor at the British Council & CEO at Eden Academy Trust.
https://www.reach.org.au
This episode is a special partnership and sponsored by Qatar Foundation’s WISE ALL IN program.
