SVA’s Bright Spots Schools Connection (The Connection) has been featured by the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) through their international online and social media platforms. WISE, a community of education stakeholders from 200 countries, is a response to the need to revitalize education and provide a global platform for new ideas and solutions.

The Connection is an innovative project that supports exceptional school leaders in disadvantaged communities to improve the outcomes of their students. Since 2014 school leaders from The Connection schools have come together to learn from each other, and from thought leaders in other sectors, in order to build upon and spread the progress they are achieving in their own communities.  The project has recently expanded to identify ‘Star Hubs’ – schools at an earlier stage of their improvement journey that could benefit from support to access and understand the existing evidence and experience on successful school improvement.

Sue Cridge, Director of The Connection at SVA commented:

‘The Connection strives to turn the bright spots in Australian education into a bright system – so that every child, no matter their postcode, can receive a fantastic education that sets them up for life. If we learn from the example of school leaders who are, against the odds, achieving great outcomes for their students, we can make great strides towards shifting the dial of social disadvantage.’

The recognition from WISE comes after recent national attention for The Connection and participating schools, with ABC’s 7.30 featuring the work of Broadmeadows Primary in Melbourne, and the Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) awarding the work of The Connection with a 2015 Leadership Award.