Exploring the status of a professional learning community in a South African primary school

Abstract

This study explored the perceptions of staff regarding the existence of a professional learning community in the school. A quantitative research design was employed to determine the views of staff members regarding the collaborative culture in the primary school. The study used Hord’s model to determine how the five major attributes of a professional learning community were realised in the school (1) shared leadership; (2) a shared vision and values; (3) individual and shared learning; (4) shared practice; and (5) supportive conditions. The findings revealed that the five mentioned attributes of Hord’s model were evident in the school, which confirmed the existence of a professional learning community in the school. The significant contribution of this study lies the verification and validation of Hord’s model.