Change teams include representatives from all staff departments. Although they have many common factors, change teams can vary in composition, how and when they meet, roles and time commitments of members, and so on.

Inclusiveness is vital, as people in different roles tend to have different and valuable views and ideas about change.  It also enables people to support what they help to create. Broad involvement leads to better and more lasting improvements. It also helps everyone to clearly see and experience the benefits of remodelling.

This is why one of the first actions of remodelling is setting up a representative change team that provides an open, honest and collaborative environment for active discussion on all aspects of change.

Change teams should not just be the headteacher and senior leadership team. An extended group, including representatives of teachers and support staff, and, where possible, pupils, parents, governors, unions, agencies and other local organisations, should take responsibility for remodelling.

But not sole responsibility. Each representative should involve their departmental colleagues in making and implementing decisions, providing them with feedback at regular meetings and asking for their input.

Change team members should:

• act as a dynamic communications channel between the change team and the rest of the workforce, representing their own views and the views of those not on the team
• form, oversee and, when appropriate, be directly involved in implementing change initiatives
• help to identify potential 'quick wins' for the school
• help prioritise change initiatives, and
• contribute in a constructive way.

Change teams have a very profound and positive effect on school culture. For example, staff often feel much more included and involved in the running of their schools, and traditional hierarchical roles, such as the role of the headteacher, need to change to adapt to this. This shift can involve a period of resistance to change.

The openness and honesty of change teams is crucial to overcoming resistance and encouraging smooth transition. To ensure success, meetings need to be well planned and facilitated and should provide a focus where ideas and issues are progressed using the remodelling process – deploying remodelling skills and tools.

Successful change teams quickly become an integral part of school life. They become the habitual way schools make their decisions and implement changes, and all members of staff fully understand and appreciate their purpose, objectives and benefits.

Schools receive training in the use of a variety of remodelling tools. These are employed by the school change team to help develop a tailored plan for change.