The journey toward excellence does not begin with a big decision made overnight. It begins quietly—with questions, reflection, and a sincere desire to be better for students, for the community, and for the future. That is exactly how the story of the journey of Primary School “Strasho Pinjur” – Negotino toward excellence began.
Our school is a living system—bringing together students from diverse backgrounds, teachers with rich experience and a strong desire for growth, and the everyday challenges of modern education. Over time, it became increasingly clear that traditional approaches were no longer sufficient. What was needed was a shared vision, a clear direction, and a tool that would help us understand our own reality and potential.
When Real Change Began
The desire for change emerged from the teachers and the school leadership—from their need for professional growth, responsibility toward student achievement, and aspiration to create a school where the learner is at the center. Instead of asking what was not working, we began asking what we could do better.
In this process, Knowlo—a European framework and platform (knowlo.eu) that views schools as learning organizations—played a significant role. Knowlo does not offer ready-made solutions; rather, it encourages reflection, self-assessment, and collective learning. It helped us understand that excellence is not a goal to be “achieved,” but a process that is lived every day.
Building a Vision – Together, Step by Step
The process of developing our vision was a period of deep reflection and open dialogue. Teachers, the professional support staff, and the school leadership actively discussed what kind of school we want to be in the future. Through surveys and meetings, parents were also involved, and their opinions and ideas added further value.
From these discussions, clear priorities emerged:
improving teaching methods, ensuring continuous professional development for teachers, and caring for the emotional and social well-being of students. A working group was formed and began developing a new Self-Evaluation and School Development Program—documents that set the direction for the coming years.
From Reflection to Action
Before the international training in Vilnius (2024) – “Building Excellent Schools” and “Creating School Visions” – the school had already carried out Knowlo self-assessment. However, the experiences gained during the training brought a new perspective. The process was revisited, analyzed more deeply, and translated into a concrete three-year Improvement Plan.
Change did not always come easily. Some teachers embraced the new approaches with enthusiasm, while others experienced a sense of overload and resistance to change. The lack of time for professional development was a real challenge. Yet, through dialogue, support, and shared responsibility, the school learned that every step forward—no matter how small—matters.
The Changes We Feel Today
Today, the vision of excellence is clearly defined and shared by all. There is a strong sense of common direction and belonging. Teachers are more confident, more open to innovation, and more engaged in collaboration. Students are more actively involved in learning, and the school climate is becoming increasingly positive and supportive.
The Organizational Improvement Plan and teachers’ Individual Visionary Plans are already producing visible results: higher-quality teaching, greater student engagement, and improved emotional well-being. The school is gradually transforming into a community that learns, shares, and grows together.
Looking to the Future
The journey toward excellence continues. New steps, new learning experiences, and new opportunities for growth lie ahead. Our goal remains clear—to be a school that does not fear change, but welcomes it as an opportunity for progress.
With the support of Knowlo and a shared vision, Primary School “Strasho Pinjur” – Negotino continues to build a culture of learning, innovation, and excellence—not as a final destination, but as a way of life.