International Networking for Educational Transformation, or iNet, was established in 2004 as an initiative of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust in England. The mission of iNet is straightforward: to create powerful and innovative networks of schools that have achieved or have committed themselves to achieving significant, systematic and sustained change that ensures outstanding outcomes for all students in all settings (this is the meaning attached to the concept of transformation).

Collaboration amongst educators has been shown to be one of the most important conditions for school and system level improvement. Snapshots, an international journal of innovation, is one way through which collaboration and sharing can, and does, occur. iNet is constantly seeking new ways of collaboration and sharing newly learned knowledge. There can be no better example of this than the HSBC iNet online conferences - recently described by an Australian principal as 'educational gold'. From a standing start, we now have a regular attendance of over 10,000 visitors at these conferences, with truly global participation.

iNet membership is growing rapidly, with affiliates in 26 countries around the world. As this affiliation base increases, so does the richness and diversity of thinking that is generated through these collaborative exchanges. iNet is now seeking to engage with Chinese educators. By 2050 China is set to become the world's largest economy. China is the region of the globe whose current emergence is one of history's greatest catalysts for worldwide change. Half a billion Chinese people under 25 will be our partners, competitors, leaders, colleagues and competitors. To contribute effectively to a global society and to work in a competitive global economy, our students need to know and understand something of China today and China's 5,000 years of civilisation - it's the cutting edge of globalisation.

Such knowledge and understanding has the potential to enrich young people's social, creative and intellectual development, expand their vocational opportunities and aspirations and, as inter-dependent global citizens, influence and shape the future of their world. The transforming of schools to meet the needs of the 21st century is a goal shared by all educators around the globe. It's a priority for China and innovative reform is taking place now. Sharing experience, learning from, and with, Chinese educators, can only expand what is possible for our children. We look forward to it and their first contribution to Snapshots.

Tony Bloxham
Head of iNet Global

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