Future School: evidence-driven leadership for collaborative school culture

Whole-school approach: We empower schools to innovate and elevate teaching practices by fostering a collaborative culture of learning and experimentation. Together with schools, we co-create new methodologies and implement evidence-driven innovations to drive meaningful change in education.

LogoWith this program, we strive to empower schools to create an enriching learning and teaching environment that fully supports students. We achieve this by equipping schools with the tools and knowledge to implement evidence-based, collaborative leadership practices.

In the Future School program, participating schools can effectively transition from identifying their needs to seamlessly integrating sustainable improvements into everyday school life.

The concept of school improvement: How do we do it?

Future School emphasizes the transformation of school culture, achieved through core principles: dialogue, meaningfulness, and ownership. These principles form the bedrock of the program's three key pillars:

  • distributed leadership for teacher collaborative learning throughout the program, school teams learn how to consciously manage change and to create favourable environment for that.
  • evidence-driven decision-making – schools monitor and analyse the change process (teachers as researchers).
  • co-creation for improving students' learning – schools analyse students´ learning processes and based on the areas that need improvement, they plan and try different improvement activities and new approaches that are developed with university specialists. The impact of these activities are analysed. Collaboration happens on three levels – inside the school, between university and school, and between different schools.

Cornerstones frame the joint improvement process for the schools and university.

What do we offer to the school?

In the program, the school will receive:

  • regular consultations from a university consultant throughout the entire academic year to implement changes;
  • the opportunity for the team to participate in monthly seminars to develop evidence-based change management skills;
  • a training seminar for the entire school staff based on and supporting the school's changes;
  • a report on the results of a school culture survey;
  • a study visit to a school that has previously participated in the Future School program;
  • a certificate or proof of completion from Tallinn University's continuing education program.

Future School Team and Mentors

Scool improvement team

School improvement mentors

  • Hiie Asser, Principal of Tartu Annelinna Gymnasium
  • Sirje Kautsaar, Principal of Rae Gymnasium
  • Anu Köidam, Principal of Ilmatsalu Basic School
  • Sigrid Melts, Deputy Director of Tallinn European School
  • Kristi Mumm, Head of Education at Forseliuse School
  • Margo Sootla, Principal of Paide Gymnasium
  • Ene Tannberg, Principal of Miina Härma Gymnasium
  • Tiina Tiit, Head of Education at Pelgulinna Gymnasium

Published articles

Future Schools and educational institutions that have completed a development program based on the Future School methodology

Future Schools

I

2017/18

 1 Muraste School
2 Tallinn 32nd High School
3 Pääsküla School
4 Rahumäe Basic School

II

2018/19

 5 Tallinn Art Gymnasium
6 Ruila Basic School
7 Pelgulinna Gymnasium
8 Peetri Kindergarten-Basic School
9 Väätsa Basic School

III

2019/20

 10 Open School
11 Kadriorg German Gymnasium
12 Raasiku Basic School
13 Tartu Private School
14 Tartu Forseliuse School
15 Viimsi Gymnasium

IV

2020/21

 16 Tallinn School of Service
17 Kallavere High School
18 Ilmatsalu Basic School
19 Luua Forestry School
20 Rapla Central School

V

2021/22

 21 Võru Kreutzwaldi School
22 Viljandi Jakobson School
23 Kalamaja Basic School
24 Valga Basic School
25 Tallinn Arte Gymnasium

VI

2022/23

 26 Oskar Luts Palamuse Gymnasium
27 Tartu Veeriku School
28 Tallinn Mahtra Basic School
29 Tallinn Mustamäe Gymnasium, Primary School Level

VII

2023/24

 30 Ehte Humanities Gymnasium
31 Lilleküla Gymnasium
32 Türi Basic School
33 Hiiu School
34 Kadrina High School

The schools participating in the 3rd-year School Development Program

I

2022/24

 35 Paistu School
36 Holstre School
37 Kärdla Basic School
38 Käru Basic School
39 Vara Basic School

II

2023/25

 40 Kuristiku Gymnasium
41 Merivälja Basic School
42 Tallinn Mahtra Basic School, II level
43 Tallinn United Gymnasium
44 Viimsi School

The Future School Program for Schools Transitioning to Estonian-language Education

I

2023/24

 45 Narva Gymnasium
46 Maardu Gymnasium
47 Tartu Annelinn School

Evidence-Driven Leadership for Mental Health Supportive School Culture

I

2021/22

 48 Käina School
49 Lihula Gymnasium
50 Tallinn German Gymnasium
51 Türi Basic School
52 Võnnu High School

Entrepreneurial School Development Programme: Evidence-Driven Leadership for Enterpreneurial School Culture

I

2021

 53 Iisaku Gymnasium
54 Illuka School
55 Jõhvi Basic School
56 Kiviõli 1st High School
57 Kohtla-Järve Gymnasium
58 Kohtla-Järve Järve School
59 Maleva Basic School in Kohtla-Järve

Leading Learning in Hobby Schools

I

2019

 60 Tallinn Nõmme Hobby School
61 Tallinn Music School
62 Tallinn Art School
63 Tallinn Kopli Youth Center
64 Tallinn Kanutiaia Hobby School
65 Tallinn Hobby Center Kullo
66 Tallinn Tondiraba Hobby School
67 Nõmme Music School
68 Mustamäe Children's Creative House
69 Lasnamäe Music School

Development of Educational Innovations based on the Principles of Change Management

I

2023

 70 Ehte Humanities Gymnasium
71 Kindergarten Ojake
72 Kindergarten Paekaare
73 Tallinn's Liikuri Kindergarten
74 Tallinn Järveotsa Gymnasium
75 Tallinn Art Gymnasium
76 Tallinn Kindergarten Pääsusilm
77 Tallinn Lepatriinu Kindergarten
78 Tallinn Liikuri Kindergarten
79 Tallinn Meelespea Kindergarten
80 Tallinn Mustakivi Kindergarten
81 Tallinn Paekaare Kindergarten
82 Tallinn Teacher's House
   

 

Evidence-Based Management Preschool Management

I

2020/21

 83 Kiikhobu Kindergarten
84 Lepatriinu Kindergarten
85 Männiku Kindergarten
86 Männikäbi Kindergarten
87 Tallinn Bellflower Kindergarten
88 Tallinn Cat's Family Kindergarten
89 Tallinn Magdaleena Kindergarten
90 Tuule Kindergarten

II

2021/22

 91 Private Kindergarten Tiki-Triki
92 Kiiu Kiigepõnni Kindergarten
93 Kindergarten Naeratus
94 Children's Club Midrimaailm
95 Daycare Center Päkapikk
96 Salme Kindergarten-Primary School
97 Tallinn Spring Kindergarten
98 Tallinn Birch Kindergarten
99 Tallinn Cuckoo Kindergarten
100 Tallinn Naksitrallid Kindergarten
101 Tallinn Nõmmekannike Kindergarten
102 Tallinn Bluebird Kindergarten
103 Tallinn Loitsu Kindergarten
104 Tallinn Mürakaru Kindergarten

III

2022/23

 105 Kehtna Kindergarten Siller
106 Luunja Kindergarten Midrimaa
107 Rapla Kindergarten Kelluke
108 Saku Kindergarten Terake
The Future School program has been initiated with the support of the European Social Fund and the Ministry of Education and Research.

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addressNarva str 25, 10120 Tallinn

E-mailfutureschool@tlu.ee