"Malaysia 2009" has inspired me to research the impact that a close network of teachers (like us!) can have on promoting improvement and change. In August 2009, I enrolled in a M.Ed in Leading Teaching and Learning at the University of Cambridge with the aim of trying to create networks of teachers in my school along the lines of our network in Malaysia. What I hope to do is to measure whether such networks can develop a more collaborative culture. Below is an extract from my first M.Ed essay about how the Malaysia visit has inspired me to reflect on teacher networks. Thank you Claire, Sarah, Liana, Jo, Nikki, Tremaine, Mark, Dan and Geraldine for inspiring me to enjoy the visit, feel part of a team and going further, reflect on the value of teacher networks.

In 2009 I participated in an educational study visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The visit was organised by CfBT and the League for the Exchange of Commonwealth Teachers (LECT) in order to give an opportunity to Fast Track alumni to learn about school leadership in a range of Malaysian schools as well as attend the 17th Commonwealth Conference for Education Ministers. Despite a fascinating programme, the aspect of the trip that I found most powerful was the opportunity to spend a week with likeminded school leaders and create a blog together to document our experiences. There were so many reflection opportunities on the trip, both formal and informal. Formally, we had reflection time factored into our programme, on the last day particularly. During this time the group thought about what they had gained from the experience, what they have learned from their peers and from the Malaysian teachers and leaders we had met. All feedback from the group was positive and many, including myself, were particularly struck the fact that we had almost learned as much from each other as from the Malaysian school leaders. Informally, almost straightway, we were sharing ideas, engaging in debate and reflecting on a variety of issues from managing staff, classroom management and primary to secondary transition. Had we all been on an INSET course at a hotel in London, I am confident such exchanges would not have taken place! I believe that we formed an identity as a group of likeminded professionals from the start and interacted professionally and positively. We had a purpose – to learn and document our findings on a blog – and learnt much being together. Therefore, this experience made me consider more carefully the importance and value of building small communities of teachers who learn from each other as well as to share and develop good practice.