Case Study: International Study Tour enhances school improvement and collaboration

As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening school leadership and collaboration across Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), we recently launched our first international study tour, focusing on learning from one of the world’s most successful educational systems—Estonia.

Background: Inspiring Leaders’ partnership model

The aim was to provide senior MAT leaders with fresh perspectives and practical strategies that could be adapted to the UK context. Leaders from across the Inspiring Leaders partnership, including CEOs, Education Directors, and other senior figures, were invited to join the tour to learn alongside one another and apply their learnings to their own settings.

Why Estonia? Learning from a global education leader

Estonia, consistently ranked among the top performers in international assessments such as PISA, is globally recognised for its innovative educational practices. By choosing Estonia as the destination for the study tour, we offered participants the opportunity to learn from a system known for its forward-thinking curriculum, effective school leadership, and integration of technology in learning.

The study tour focused on several key areas:

School Leadership: Participants explored how Estonian leaders foster strong, effective leadership across their schools.

SEND Provision: The group examined Estonia’s inclusive practices and support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Government Policy: The tour provided insights into the impact of educational policy on school performance and outcomes.

Curriculum Innovation: MAT leaders observed Estonia’s unique approach to curriculum design and implementation.

Teacher Development: Participants gained an understanding of how Estonia supports the continuous professional growth of its teachers.

School Improvement: The study tour highlighted Estonia’s successful initiatives in driving school improvement.

Digital Learning and Leadership: A special focus was given to Estonia’s use of technology in education, offering a comprehensive view of how digital tools and leadership enhance learning experiences.

The impact: building a framework for innovation and collaboration

James Brown, Managing Director of Inspiring Leaders, highlighted the significance of this first international venture: “This international study tour marks an exciting new chapter for Inspiring Leaders and our partner MATs. By learning from Estonia’s world-class education system, we’re providing our leaders with the chance to engage with innovative practices that will inspire fresh thinking and drive meaningful improvements across our schools. It’s a fantastic opportunity to foster collaboration and innovation in education on a global scale.”

This international engagement provided an opportunity for MAT leaders to not only observe best practices in another country but also to engage in deep reflection and collaborative discussions about how these practices can be adapted to their own settings.

Moving forward: strengthening leadership development

By connecting MAT leaders with international best practices, we are ensuring that UK schools can benefit from global insights, helping them stay at the forefront of educational improvement and innovation.

This first international study tour sets a precedent for how we will continue to bring new ideas into the UK education landscape, further strengthening collaboration across its partner MATs and improving outcomes for students.