Overview

In education, change is inevitable. But despite this, most school change projects falter because they miss what matters most: the human element. Change Starts Here revolutionises how we think about educational change by putting people back at the heart of the process. This groundbreaking book unveils a practical approach that transforms how schools navigate change. At its core lies the innovative double diamond model, a powerful framework that helps school communities discover what truly matters to them and co-create solutions that stick. Through 40 carefully crafted questions and real-world case studies from schools across the world, the authors demonstrate how to replace rigid, top-down directives with authentic, community-driven change. Whether you're wrestling with curriculum reform, teaching development, or new technology, Change Starts Here will help you build consensus, honour diverse perspectives, and create lasting impact. Essential reading for school leaders, teachers, and anyone passionate about making meaningful change in education.

Full Product Details

9781032979243

Table of Contents

Reviews

“Like so many of the best books, Change Starts Here has both universal and personal application. The forty questions in the book take individuals or groups on a deep, useful, reflective journey through change: a topic that every living person should be interested in.” Jim Knight Founder and CEO of Instructional Coaching Group “Change Starts Here is a beautifully crafted roadmap, guiding readers through the often tangled forest of organisational change. Shane Leaning and Efraim Lerner act as expert trail guides, providing both a compass and a lantern to navigate the complexities of transformation in education. The authors don’t just hand you a map and wish you luck; instead, they walk alongside you, encouraging you to pause at critical junctures to reflect on the terrain. Their ""double diamond"" framework feels like a sturdy bridge over turbulent waters, connecting the islands of aspiration and reality. Each stage of the journey—Connect, Discover, Define and Sustain, is mapped with powerful questions which feel like trail markers, ensuring you never lose your way. This book is not a pre-packaged tour; it’s a call to adventure, inviting everyone in the community: teachers, leaders, parents and even students, to join the expedition. The stories sprinkled throughout serve as both cautionary tales and inspiring beacons, reminding us that while the forest may be dense, the view from the summit is worth every step. Leaning and Lerner’s focus on dialogue and inclusivity transforms change from a lonely climb into a shared hike, where every voice adds strength to the collective effort. Their emphasis on psychological safety and shared values as the foundation for meaningful change ensures that the path is not only clear but sustainable for future travellers. For anyone ready to embark on the challenging yet rewarding journey of educational transformation, Change Starts Here is more than a book—it’s the guide, the gear and the spirit you need to reach the summit together.” Dr Haili Hughes Director of Education at IRIS Connect and Principal Lecturer in Professional Development at the University of Sunderland “Many of us working in schools will recognise the ‘change fatigue’ that comes from the constant cycle of new initiatives, which do not always yield the improvements we seek. We also know that the problems we face in schools are complex, and cannot be addressed by simple, one-size-fits-all solutions. In Change Starts Here, Shane Leaning and Efraim Lerner make the compelling case that our tendency to look outward for answers is leading to a loss of organisational confidence. By outsourcing thinking, we miss opportunities to build deep contextual expertise and empower the professionals doing the work on the ground in our schools. Meaningful change, they argue, must come from within, deeply anchored in the school community, responsive to its unique challenges and respecting its strengths. Drawing on their extensive international experience of school improvement and leadership development, the authors offer a practical, easily applicable framework to guide the deep thinking needed to build meaningful change. They do not shy away from its complexities but embrace it as a dynamic process and a collective endeavour. They show how, by starting with asking powerful questions, we can engage everyone in our school communities in open, honest reflection and deep purposeful collaboration, building and shaping solutions together. This is how we break the cycle of change without improvement and reclaim our profession. Change Starts Here is a salve for a broken system. It is a call to stop waiting for someone else to take action, but to be the change we seek: a manifesto for people-powered change which empowers and humanises. It is a deeply important read for everyone who works in education.” Sam Gibbs Director of Education, Greater Manchester Education Trust, UK

Author Information

Shane Leaning is an organisational coach and supports international schools globally. He hosts the chart-topping school leadership podcast, Education Leaders, and is co-founder of Work Collaborative. Efraim Lerner is founder of Br1ne and co-founder of Work Collaborative. He works globally with organisations to drive innovation and sustainable change and serves on EdTech advisory boards and professional development platforms.

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