History of Campaign for Learning

In 1998 the Campaign published a seminal Mori survey into Attitudes to Learning that revealed the locations where adults learn most and the strongest influences on a decision to learn. The most important results were:

In which three of the following places do you think you personally learn most?

In your home 57%
At work 43%
Libraries 36%

Which of the following would influence you most in deciding to start learning?

Employer/work/colleagues 34%
Friends 25%
Parents/relatives 21%

We concluded that two critical components in building an appetite for learning were family and the workplace. Much of our work is therefore devoted to creating opportunities and providing support for family learning and learning at work. Later research revealed, however, that motivation to learn throughout life is forged by our early learning experiences in school. We have therefore developed a third focus to our work that looks at how schools can help children develop the confidence and skills needed to carry on learning long after they leave the classroom.

Underpinning all of our work on learning in different environments, the 'where' of learning, is a growing body of knowledge about how we learn. We believe that knowing how to learn is one of the key skills in life; as critical as literacy and numeracy.

Our Focus

We work to build motivation, create opportunities and provide support for learning in families and communities, workplaces and schools. Key elements of our work are national promotion campaigns, project partnerships, policy and advocacy, publications, events, research and award schemes.

Family and Community Learning

The Campaign for Learning founded Family Learning Weekend in 1998. It is now an annual event that delivers learning opportunities to thousands of families nationwide. Since that time we have worked with key national agencies to put family learning on the government's agenda and delivered supporting resources to individuals through the Reading Families Millennium Awards scheme. Hundreds of family learning practitioners have attended our best practice dissemination events and National Family Learning Network conferences.

Workplace learning

The Campaign has worked with the TUC to support the development of learning reps at work and researched the strengths and weaknesses of e-learning with KPMG. Learning at Work Day takes place as part of Adult Learners' Week. Its aim is to make learning a normal part of working life, a concept that has been enthusiastically embraced by employers and employees across the country.

Learning in Schools

School is our first formal learning experience and has a lifelong influence on our motivation to learn. Twenty-four pioneering schools throughout England have been working with the Campaign to develop a learning to learn approach that will inspire pupils to become lifelong learners. We are now developing a larger research project for 2003.

How we work with partners

In most cases the Campaign is a catalyst or partner in helping to effect change. We work with a variety of partners from the TUC and Investors in People UK to local community action groups and businesses. We have supported pioneering work in schools and workplaces. Our partnerships with Learning and Skills Councils, local authorities, Regional Development Agencies and Regional Arts Boards have helped us tailor our work to meet both regional and local needs.

Looking Forward

During our first four years we have identified, and contributed to, critical areas that we can leverage to increase participation in learning. We want to build on that work over the next few years by:

• Discovering, and sharing, new knowledge about stimulating demand for learning
• Creating new opportunities for, and awareness of, informal learning
• Providing access to resources which empower learners
• Extending the Campaign's influence and presence as a powerful advocate for learning
• Promoting learning and social inclusion