The Flemish (Belgian) approach to system leadership

This chapter aims to provide information and analysis on the “communities of schools”, a particular Flemish approach to school leadership for systemic improvement. These communities are voluntary collaborative partnerships between schools. The government’s objective when establishing them was to make schools collaborate to enhance student guidance systems, lessen the managerial-administrative burden on principals to allow more focus on pedagogical leadership, increase the use of ICT, and rationalise resources through collaboration on staff recruitment and course supply. The Flemish communities of schools were selected by the OECD Improving School Leadership activity as an innovative example of school leadership co-operation for improved schooling outcomes.