Bertelsmann Stiftung

After arriving in Dusseldorf from London I met with Petra Madelung, project leader for the Semi-Autonomous schools network. This is network of schools in North Rhine Westphalia (NRW) that have had a focus on increasing professional learning of staff and increasing the autonomy of schools.

From Dusseldorf I travelled by train to Gutersloh which is about 2 hours away. Gutersloh itself isn't much to look at, but the Bertelsmann Stiftung is impressive. It is philanthropic undertaking by Mohn, a media mogel.

My visit to the Stiftung allowed me the opportunity to meet with:

• Michael Sebarich (Assistant to the Board of Governors and responsibility for strategic direction)
• Eric Vacarro (Project Leader for International Network of Innovative Schools/SEIS)
• the SEIS team
• Uli Kober (Project Leader for Semi-Autonomous Schools project).