The problem
Covid-19 has forced a huge experiment in distance learning and created a unique opportunity for change, to unlock entrenched assumptions in our approach to learning that would otherwise have taken decades.
Young people are eager to take control of their own learning while teachers and school leaders need to feel supported and empowered to do things differently in the ‘next normal’.
“While there’s a real need for quantitative data from teachers and leaders over lockdown, these statistics that we’ve been seeing across the media only tell part of the story. They don’t talk about the many examples of positive things that have come from lockdown such as the use of technology to bring schools and parents together, the increased agency students have over their own learning and the amazing ways schools have developed projects to give students the opportunity to make their communities better. There are loads of positive stories from teachers and what they’ve learned – what they’ve begun doing differently post-pandemic.”
Joe Pardoe
Strategic Content Creator, Big Education
Big Education will help us evidence that a new way is possible by finding the schools and leaders that are committed to making change happen.
The solution
A research project to learn from students, teachers, leaders and parents about their lockdown experiences.
Learning From Lockdown was created to inspire teachers and leaders, to provide support for change and to ultimately design new practices that build on what has been learned at this time. Exploring learnings from all involved, from online and distance learning to staff wellbeing.
Big Education will use insights from students, educators and parents to inform school leaders and teachers, ensuring that we learn from this experience and use this moment to make real change to how young people can make the most of learning at school and at home.
The team will work with its wide network of educators and education sector leaders to generate case studies highlighting best practices, insight papers and learning sessions giving practical advice that schools can use.
Work in action
This project is a key part of unlocking some of the entrenched assumptions in our approach to learning. We have an opportunity in this moment to rebalance the teacher-student relationship.
It’s clear there is a need for this; to date Learning From Lockdown Playbooks have been downloaded over 500 times, and the website has had 94,366 page views with visits from every region of the UK as well as visitors from USA, India, Australia and Netherlands.
The team has been holding working groups across the UK to build new practices in teaching and learning, based on different themes. From staff wellbeing to rethinking school practices. Giving the opportunity to teachers and leaders from all regions an opportunity to share what they’ve learned and to learn from others.
Big Education will help us evidence that a new way is possible by finding the schools and leaders that are committed to making change happen. Insights gathered will feed into our co-mission work, building a conversation to make lasting change to the education system to help all young people thrive.
We have an opportunity in this moment to rebalance the teacher-student relationship.
The Big Changers
Peter Hyman and Liz Robinson, Co-Founders
Co-founders Peter Hyman and Liz Robinson have leaned into this crisis to support the education sector to learn and improve. Big Change has worked with them since late 2019 when we funded the Big Leadership Adventure, which is now on its second cohort.
Both have already been successful as co-headteacher of Surrey Square, and co-founder of School 21 respectively.
Peter Hyman
As well as co-founding School 21, Peter Hyman is headteacher and prior to setting the school and 21 Trust he worked in several schools as a teaching assistant, history teacher and deputy headteacher. Before that he was a strategist and speechwriter for British Prime Minister Tony Blair.
Liz Robinson
Liz Robinson has extensive experience in designing leadership programmes for school leaders, previously acting as the Primary Consultant Director for Ambition Institute.
