All educators are innovators. When your role is to support young people within an often rigid system, innovation is necessary. However, innovation under pressure is not conducive to effective or sustainable educational practice. While educators must adapt to the ever-evolving needs of their students and the system, long-term success relies not on firefighting but on deliberate, considered transformation.
A year ago, in September 2022, the Edge Foundation launched the Deeper Learning UK Network, an instrumental platform for fostering educational innovation across the four nations. And for those wishing to adapt their teaching practices and offer more effective learning experiences for their students, the Deeper Learning UK Network is proving a powerful resource.
A vision takes shape
Inspired by Edge’s extensive national and international research, the Deeper Learning UK Network was born out of a vision to connect and amplify the pockets of innovative educational practice that we found thriving across the UK. We saw excellent practices that breathed life into education, engaging students and connecting learning to the real world. These practices were not isolated incidents but part of a broader movement. Often, however, they remained hidden in the shadows of an educational system that is often more focused on exams and uniformity than on nurturing authentic learning experiences.
Building a network of networks
The Deeper Learning UK Network is really a network of networks. It brings together diverse organisations representing groups of educational institutions, from MATs to college groups and organisations like Whole Education and Schools of Tomorrow. These groups represent a spectrum of educational approaches, united by a shared commitment to Deeper Learning.
But what is Deeper Learning? In short, it’s about championing educational practices that bring learning alive, connecting it to the real world and the “why” of learning, rather than simply training students to pass exams. It encompasses project-based, interdisciplinary and real-world learning and rich employer engagement. These are not prescribed ideas but common themes that we have repeatedly seen bringing learning to life. And while the organisations in the network do these things quite differently, all are driven by the shared belief that education should be about making education engaging, effective and relevant to the 21st century.
A community of innovators
To make our shared vision a reality, the Deeper Learning UK Network prioritises community building. Each year, we organise meetings in inspiring locations – this year it was at XP School in Doncaster – to share ideas. These face-to-face gatherings offer opportunities to explore what others are doing and to strengthen our collective impact.
We also organise termly community meetings and visits to different institutions within the network. These allow members to see innovative practice in action and learn from one another. In the spring, for example, we organised a trip to explore applied transdisciplinary learning at Rivers Academy (part of Aspirations Academy Trust), and this autumn, we’re running a virtual visit to South Durham UTC.
A four-nations focus
Another element of the network is that it is very much four-nations focused. Our members include the Wood Foundation in Scotland, several FE colleges in Northern Ireland (such as SERC) and groups from Wales. This ensures we draw upon a wealth of experiences and perspectives, enriching our collective understanding of what works in different geographical contexts.
Furthermore, we have established expert practice groups focused on Deeper Learning topics. One, for instance, focuses on how we can seed Deeper Learning practice into teacher and leader training so that more practitioners have these skills in their pedagogical toolbox. Others on deepening practice around project based learning and real world learning. These practice groups offer colleagues a chance to gather more regularly to discuss their approaches and share resources.
Sharing knowledge through Edge’s Practice Dashboard
One of the highlights of the Deeper Learning UK Network has been the emergence of Edge’s new Practice Dashboard. This platform showcases materials, resources and approaches from across the network. The best part is that it is available for free. Whether you’re looking to introduce student learner profiles, start a teacher externship programme, or embark on an interdisciplinary learning project, the dashboard offers everything you need to get started. Plus, it is evolving.
In the coming years, Edge will focus on helping network members to codify their practice. Often, organisations develop fantastic programmes but rarely have the chance to step back, reflect, and document their experiences. We’re changing that by supporting institutions to create guides and resources, build their institutional memory, and help others to start from a more informed position.
A global perspective
The phrase “deeper learning” pays tribute to the rich heritage of this work, particularly in the US, home of the original Deeper Learning Network. Embracing this international ethos, we are now looking beyond our borders. The Deeper Learning Network is expanding internationally, with partners from countries including India, the Netherlands, and Italy. Their best practice informs our work. And because Deeper Learning is a relatively new concept in the UK, their extensive evidence bases can also support our ongoing efforts.
Deeper Learning is not about a single model everyone must adhere to. It is a shared aspiration delivered in different settings by talented professionals with a toolbox of different pedagogical approaches. In this respect, it may be a challenging concept for those accustomed to the rigidity of a more traditional system.
But the first year of our network has proved that when educators come together, share experiences, and support one another, we can have a profound impact. Together, we will continue to redefine what education means for the 21st century.
