Professional learning communities of school leaders within inter-school networks: opportunities and conditions for sustainable professionalization

Given the challenging and complex task of school leaders to ensure quality education, peer learning is important for both professional and school development. Structural inter-school networks are relevant in the context of collective learning. Initiating quality partnerships between school leaders sustainably is challenging. Using a mixed-methods approach, we examine professional learning communities (PLCs) as a form of formal collective learning developed within existing inter-school networks during a two-year professionalization trajectory, what the experienced (learning) outcomes are, and which variables affect sustainable long-term development. Data collection was based on online surveys and in-depth interviews. Results indicate that the quality of collective learning increased significantly during the two-year trajectory. Most explanatory of the PLC’s continued sustainability as a professional network for school leaders is the PLC’s perceived approach during the PT. The perceived facilitating role of the inter-school network influences structural choices regarding future continuation and approach. It also demonstrates the need to invest in sustainable collective learning. Further longitudinal research into the sustainability of PLCs within inter-school networks and the quality of coaches is recommended.