In the field of education, continuous learning and the pursuit of innovative practices and effective teaching methodologies are ongoing processes. Schools are not just places of learning; they are dynamic networks that collaborate and experiment to find the best solutions for future-oriented education.
The OECD Schools+ Network, an OECD project launched last fall, is a global initiative providing a platform of pedagogical tools for schools worldwide. This initiative addresses the need for connection and the sharing of best practices. The network aims to develop a taxonomy for modern pedagogy that links scientific research (typically the domain of academics) with the best practices in leading schools. In this new paradigm, teachers become researchers of their own teaching methods, conducting impact studies as they apply modern pedagogies.
Avenor College, along with 140 other schools from 40 countries, has been selected to join this network. Avenor College invites other interested schools to contribute to this global initiative by joining the OECD Schools+ Network in the next phase of the project, which focuses on implementing the tools developed in the first two phases.
Dr. Daniela Vasile, Director of Learning at Avenor College and co-leader of the group researching Cognitive Engagement within the OECD Schools+ Network, provides more information about the network’s methods, the opportunities it creates, and its goals. She also invites other schools to join this global initiative.
I recently had the pleasure of attending the third edition of the Global Community Meeting of the Schools+ Network. Alongside Andreas Schleicher, OECD Director for Education and Skills, Janette Quinn, COBIS Director of Education and Professional Learning, Camelia Ciurescu, a representative of the Romanian Ministry of Education, and 80 other global educational leaders, I had the opportunity to connect and collaborate in our efforts to bridge the gap between scientific research and educational practice.
MOTIVATION FOR JOINING THE OECD SCHOOLS+ NETWORK
We were honored to be selected by COBIS to participate in this project following our Outstanding rating from BSO in March 2023. At that time, we were also encouraged to share our best practices with other schools in Romania and internationally.
Inspired by this recommendation and driven by a deep-seated desire to impact more teachers and students positively, we were thrilled to contribute to improving global education quality through this initiative.
Moreover, our application advanced, and we were chosen to lead the Cognitive Engagement working group, one of the five groups within the network. The other groups focus on Classroom Interaction, Socio-Emotional Support, Quality of Teaching Content, Formative Assessment, and Feedback.
Only 10 schools worldwide have this privilege. Alongside my colleague, Dr. Mihaela Stancu, Curriculum Leader for Romanian Language at Avenor, and Roberto Castaldo, a teacher at Istituto Statale per l’Istruzione Superiore Europa, we co-lead a group of over 40 schools. Together, we contributed to the creation of the Toolbox of Effective Classroom Practices, the immediate goal of the OECD Schools+ Network.
This fall, as the project enters its third phase of development (following the completion of the Toolkit and the launch of a digital platform), all interested schools are invited to participate.
If you wish to join this initiative or learn more about the project and the tools developed, you can register HERE. We will follow up with all interested schools with more information by organising a dedicated event.
WHAT RECOMMENDED US FOR THIS NOMINATION
Avenor is increasingly recognized among British schools as an institution that encourages innovation and maintains high standards. The Avenor Student Profile, created in 2021, integrates transferable learning objectives. At Avenor, teaching is based on conceptual learning, skill development, and building moral character, all connected to societal realities. Our curriculum is discipline-based, providing students with a solid foundation, but the goal of learning is knowledge transfer, which can only be achieved in interdisciplinary contexts through programmes like Project-Based Learning, STEAM, and Learning Outside the Classroom.
To implement such a complex learning programme, we need qualified teachers with high standards. This reality led us, as a school, to create a competency-based teacher evaluation framework and a continuous professional development programme that our teachers participate in annually.
We believe these were the main strengths of our application to the OECD Schools+ Network and our areas of expertise, around which we wish to exchange ideas and best practices with schools worldwide.
By being part of this project, we have the chance to engage in real dialogue with global educational experts, share our experiences, learn from theirs, and adapt various identified solutions to our learning context. We are delighted to offer our expertise to build a better, future-oriented education.
ABOUT THE OECD
The OECD is an international organisation that builds better policies for a more prosperous and equitable world. With over 60 years of experience, the OECD works alongside governments, leaders, and citizens to address social, economic, and environmental challenges. From stimulating economic growth and creating jobs to improving education and combating tax evasion, the OECD provides a forum for the exchange of ideas, data, and best practices.
