Professor Lumby to evaluate the work of European Policy Network on School Leadership

The European Commission has invested considerable resources in supporting the development of a Europewide network which has been extremely active. Over a period of four years it has been working to identify and promote ways in which policymakers might help school leaders in their work.

Many Education Ministry representatives, leaders of Trade Unions, school principals and researchers of leadership have come together to try to influence policy throughout Europe. Professor Jacky Lumby of Southampton and Dr Gerry Mac Ruairc of University College Dublin have been commissioned to evaluate this work, assessing the degree to which policymakers have listened and acted and what difference this may have made to learners in schools.

The final report will give an overview and evaluation of a concerted effort by many people in Europe over an extended period of time to make policy and practice to work together. Jacky comments "It's a great privilege to be asked to evaluate the work of such an influential body in Europe. I hope that our evaluation will not only bring the group's achievements to wider attention but also provide lessons for the future work of Europe-wide collaborations between policy makers, practitioners and academics".