Innovation at School: Inclusion, Autonomy and Flexibility

HOW AUTONOMY AND FLEXIBILITY CAN ATTRIBUTE TO A BETTER QUALITY OF EDUCATION The course is organized in the famous medieval city of BRUGGE ( BRUGES - FLANDERS - Belgium). Participants are lodged in a nice hotel. Belgium is a federal state where the competences on education are completely devolved towards the 3 Communities. The Flemish Community of Flanders has full and complete autonomy on the organization of its educational system and educational policy. An exploration of the Flemish education system may be interesting, since the PISA results show that Flanders is a good performer in reading literacy, mathematical literacy and scientific literacy. Furthermore the Flemish education system is based on a lot of autonomy for schools (School Boards). On the pedagogical level, this autonomy and flexibility is repeated for teachers. Recently a lot of schools are exploring and experimenting new ways of organising the school structure, the curriculum, teaching methods… The course integrates input and background with study visits to schools in Bruges and/or Ghent and a visit to the National Authority (Ministry Education or a National Network of School Boards) in Brussels. At those moments a cultural programme is added to the course. The communication and course language is English. This international course focuses on: • The Flemish education system; • The role of autonomy in the motivation process of teachers and students; • How a (more) flexible school structure can lead to approaches toward diversity; • How a (more) flexible school structure can lead to better student results; • Changing leadership towards autonomy and self-regulating teams; • Several visits to schools with interaction with principals and teachers (Bruges and/or Ghent); • Visit to National Authority (Ministry of Education or a National Network of School Boards) in Brussels • Reflection and transfer towards individual education context of each participant. The course is organised by a consortium of European educational organisations that worked together in previous international projects. The trainers have a broad experience in school organisation, teaching and learning methods, motivation of students and international courses.