The aim of the I CO-COPE project is to explore how interprofessional collaboration processes in schools can be made more transparent, effective and truly inclusive – ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard, especially the voices of students. Together with partner schools from Austria, Belgium, Portugal and Slovakia, we are learning by doing: by experimenting with a collaborative approach called ‘Community of Practice’ (CoP). This approach is intended to support schools in developing more inclusive practices in a participatory way.
In each partner country, two secondary schools started with creating a CoP in their own school setting. The first step was to appoint a moderator in each school to guide the participants of this CoP through its various phases. Each school-based moderator is supported by a project team member, who acts as an ‘external moderator’ and provides guidance and shares key principles and conditions to help the CoP work towards the main objective of this project.
During the I CO-COPE project, the CoP meets at least three times in each school. Between these meetings, we organise online guided intervisions with all CoP moderators – creating a space for mutual support and reflection on their roles.
Looking back on the first CoP meetings and guided intervisions, several key factors have already been identified as crucial for successfully establishing and facilitating a CoP in schools:
creating a safe and welcoming space (for example by using simple rituals like check-ins and check-outs)
achieving a good balance in the composition of the COP, particularly in terms of the number of students and professionals participating in the COP
finding not only enough time, but also the right timing for the COP within the school schedule
defining a clear, shared goal that drives the CoP
Transnational partner meeting in Austria
In addition to the ongoing school-based activities, the project partners met in person in Graz, Austria, at the end of March. In the course of three days, hosted by the University College of Teacher Education Styria, the project team worked on further developing the online training course on implementing Communities of Practice in schools. They also recorded material for the upcoming podcast, and planned the next steps in the project timeline.
A highlight of the meeting was the visit to Puntigam Middle School, one of the Austrian partner schools, where the I CO-COPE team gained valuable insights into inclusive practices in everyday school life.
The transnational partner meeting programme also offered an inclusive theatre experience: a performance of 'Momo' – a play based on the renowned German children's book – at the Next Liberty Theatre, in which one of Chance B’s clients played the main role.
