Inspiring examples

Pelgulinna Gymnasium is a full-cycle general education school located in the northern part of Tallinn, with over 900 students and 70 teachers. The school's main focus has so far been on arts education and on technology and science education (ICT). The school is based on the principle that all pupils should be supported to do better in science and science education, starting with primary education.

Key element of the school's strategy is the creation of professional teacher communities.

Viljandi Jakobson School is a basic school in Estonia. Values-based education and a common school culture are central to the school's teaching and education. Intra-school and regional networking supports the development of each learner. As an entrepreneurial school, it participates in national programmes and develops entrepreneurial competences of pupils at all levels. The school builds on its rich history and traditions. The school's history is visible in the learning environment and integrated into the learning activities.

Luua Forestry School is a vocational school and the only school in Estonia that focuses on forestry. Luua Forestry School has nearly 9000 hectares of forest under management. Luua's mission is to support future forestry professionals with the best skills and knowledge through a learner-centred approach and an attitude that values nature. The school's vision is to be the first choice for learners in forestry and a centre of excellence in the forestry profession, committed to driving innovation. They actively engage in global partnerships and initiatives to promote responsible forest management and environmental sustainability.

Sue Stevenson is school head at the Spring Valley Elementary School in Kelowna, Canada.

She sees it as her biggest task to support her team in creating the best kind of education for the kids in their school.

"So, you plant a seed and imagine if this is where we want to be. This is where every child feels valued. This is where every child is able to learn at their level. You plant that seed and then how do you get there? Well, we can try this or we can try that, there are so many different ways to access that. So you absolutely as a leader plant those seeds and then let the teachers go with the flow."

The Metis Montessori Lyceum (MML/Metis) is a young, ambitious secondary school in Amsterdam East and part of the Montessori School Community of Amsterdam (MSA). Teachers want to do more than just transfer their knowledge work at this school; they want to transfer their enthusiasm to their students. This does not mean that students have to 'like' every subject, but it does mean that they are addressed at their own level and their own interests.