Article written by Dr Darnelle Pretorius, Princpal, Swan Christian College, WA
(First published in the educate+ Face-2-Face Magazine, Nov 2025)
Working in a school is a privilege. To work alongside others who share a common purpose—guiding young people to learn, grow, and flourish—is both a joy and a challenge. Since 1990, I have worked in schools across three countries, each with its own distinct yet overlapping characteristics. One of the most fascinating dynamics to observe is that of a high-functioning team working in isolation. Harnessing the skills and productivity of such teams across an entire organisation rests upon the Leader, and this is often a complex and demanding task.
In both schools and organisations, silos often emerge when teams or departments operate in isolation. While silos can preserve expertise, they also create barriers—limiting communication, duplicating effort, and weakening a shared sense of purpose.
Why Silos Form
School departments and faculties naturally become spaces of belonging and familiarity, shaped by specialisation. For instance, Maths teachers often enjoy the collegiality, humour, and support of fellow Maths colleagues. In schools organised around house or faction systems, staffrooms are often filled with teachers from diverse faculties. While Heads of Department in these contexts sometimes lament less contact with their own staff, a stronger sense of belonging is usually achieved more quickly, and silos are less pronounced.
Organisational silos are a natural by-product of specialisation. Each department holds valuable knowledge, but without intentional structures to connect them, information gaps and misunderstandings widen. In schools, this can result in misaligned programs, fragmented student support, or staff feeling undervalued.
The Cost of Silos
If left unchecked, silos erode trust and slow innovation. They create inefficiencies that frustrate staff and, ultimately, impact student outcomes. When communication falters, opportunities for creativity, shared problem-solving, and collaboration are missed.
In a Christian school, this is often seen within the Faculty of Christian Living, where teachers from a variety of disciplines are required to teach Biblical Studies across year levels. At times, the focus of this subject can become blurred, as teachers may default to their own areas of specialisation—forming silos—and in doing so, risk overlooking the central mission of the school. While never intentional, this can become the reality.
Linking Systems Through Attention
Breaking down silos requires more than goodwill—it demands systemic solutions. Leaders must create structures that encourage dialogue, psychological safety, and shared purpose. Systems thinking helps us see the bigger picture, while relational capital reminds us that genuine collaboration grows out of trust and respect.
Transformational Leadership is key. Leaders who model openness, connect people across boundaries, and reinforce shared goals can turn silos into synergy.
Practical Strategies
Addressing silos requires intentionality. This can be built into the rhythm of weekly staff meetings or Leadership planning. Carefully designed messaging, enabling a common language and shared vision, helps establish a “community of practice.”
For Leaders serious about shaping a culture of purpose and understanding, three strategies are essential:
- Create regular opportunities for cross-functional dialogue.
- Develop a common language and shared vision across teams.
- Identify information gaps and design structures to close them.
By paying attention—not only to systems and processes, but also to people—schools can shift from fragmentation to collaboration, building cultures where expertise is both valued and connected.
Just as redundant grain silos in industry are sometimes transformed into hotels or striking landmarks, we too must reimagine silos in education. Schools are not places to preserve silos. Rather, as educators, we must work with open and humble hands to unite our efforts for the flourishing of every student, safeguarding the future of our young people.
Dr Darnelle Pretorius
Principal
Swan Christian College
Suggested Links
Harvard Business Review:
https://hbr.org/2024/01/how-to-lead-across-a-siloed-organization#
https://hbr.org/2019/05/cross-silo-leadership
Videos:
