What's Next? 21 Ideas for 21st Century Learning

by Charles Leadbeater

The publication was officially launched on 10 July 2008.

Charles Leadbeater was invited to visit and observe schools (including Bridgemary, Cramlington, Darlington Education Village, Eastfeast, Winsford and Yewlands) in The Innovation Unit's Next Practice in Education programme. The result is a fascinating glimpse of how the most innovative of our schools are developing new and successful approaches to adjust to the conditions of the 21st century.

Leadbeater asks how can we build on the most radical innovations in today's schools to create a new approach to learning fit for the century to come?

He argues that the current approach to educational reform is running out of steam. Improvements in results have reached a plateau. Educational inequality remains stubbornly high. But some ‘next practices' in innovative schools indicate a fresh approach which energises learners and teachers alike.

What's Next? makes 21 recommendations to create an approach centred on children learning with, as well as from, teachers at schools that would feel smaller and offer more personalised learning. But just as important, Leadbeater sees relationships for learning embracing the family, workplace and community as well as the school as centres for learning 

Download What's Next?

Download presentation slides from Charles Leadbeater's website.

Press release from The Innovation Unit

Download the press release issued to coincide with the launch.

Press coverage

• Education Guardian, 8 July 2008 - Blue skies learning
• eteach.com, 8 July 2008 - summary of Guardian article
• New Statesman, 10 July 2008 - A neet solution
• TES, 11 July 2008 - They learn more working in tandem
• TES, 11 July 2008 - Let them teach themselves
• Mike Gibbons, Chief Executive of The Innovation Unit, was interviewed on BBC Breakfast News on 19 July 2008 about issues raised by the publication.

What the bloggers are saying

View a selection of blogs about What's Next? here

Launch Event - 10 July 2008

Charles Leadbeater (below) introduced What's Next? and articulated 10 of his recommendations.

The launch event took place at the Guardian Newsroom in London.

The event was Chaired by Lord Puttnam.  Lord Adonis, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools and Learners, responded to Charles Leadbeater's recommendations. 

Cheryl Heron, Headteacher of Bridgemary, whose practice is highlighted in the publication and Valerie Hannon, Director of Strategy in The Innovation Unit, contributed as panel members.

An audience of 90 headteachers, representatives from national agencies, Directors of Children's Services and business leaders were invited to respond and debate some of the opportunities and issues raised by What's Next?

We hope that Charles Leadbeater's incisive commentary on the work of some of our most innovative schools, and his recommendations, will stimulate serious debate on the shape of schooling for the 21st century.

Read Bob Harrison's blog about the launch event.

Lord Adonis (below left), Lord Puttnam (below centre) and from left to right Charles Leadbeater, Lord Adonis, Cheryl Heron and Lord Puttnam (below right) at the launch event.