The story so far

Project council

Resources

The Big Education Conversation began in England in 2021 as a campaign to get people talking about what education is really for and how it should change for the future. In 2022, the Big Education Conversation is going global and will ultimately support a million local, regional, and national conversations around the world.

Conversations about the purpose of education are important in transforming education systems. They help different groups, like students, parents, educators, and government leaders, to come together, discuss their beliefs and hopes, and develop a shared vision for education in their community or country. Through Big Education Conversations anyone can contribute to creating a shared purpose and vision for education.

The Big Education Conversation was initially developed in England by Big Change, a charity that wants to help create a society where every child can thrive, IPPR, Whole Education and the 44 partners and champions who supported 25,000 people to take part in summer 2021.

As it grows, the Big Education Conversation Global now builds on the Center for Universal Education at Brookings’ global research on the purpose of education and its Conversation Starter Tools which are used across 12 countries from the Americas to Africa to Asia and Australia.

In 2022, Big Change, The Center for Universal Education at Brookings, the Lego Foundation, and Salesforce are working to support Big Education Conversations to happen all around the world. The initiative was formally launched at the UN Transforming Education Summit. Today, a coalition of organisations in countries across the globe are working to lead Big Education Conversations in their communities and countries.

‍For more information, drop an email to: info@bigeducationconversation.org

We need to talk about what EDUCATION is REALLY FOR

#millionconversations

Three schoolgirls, young, holding onto eachother. One of them is pulling a funny face.

We have a chance to rethink education

England’s education system has been built to get as many kids as possible learning a fixed set of things in a fixed way. And then to prove it through tests and exams. But is this big schooling machine delivering what anyone really wants, or what society needs?

What are your views on the purpose of education? Add your opinion and see what others think.

"I want to see our young people do more than just survive in this system, I want them to thrive.”

Jaiden, age 19

See more messages

Across the country people are talking about education

Wherever and whoever you are, why not take time to have a chat about what education is really for, and the big changes you and your friends, family, colleagues, or students, want to see.

To help you get started, we've create a simple conversation guide and some top tips for facilitators. Use the resources to spark a conversation about the future of education and get curious about what others think.

Get the conversation guide

Get more resources

54.78603320

-1.56818160

Ella

51.27870750

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Big Change

vanessa

51.56350010

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Yes Futures

Sorca Davis

54.43543440

-2.96456180

Cumbria Development Education Centre

Debbie

53.63832080

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John

53.39406850

-2.96969270

Liverpool World Centre

Pablo

51.77109680

-1.30765580

Family Links the Centre for Emotional Health

50.85730670

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Community Supporters

55.00956010

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Alex Maughan

51.74933510

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Lisa

53.81451210

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Christina

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Pat

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Jean Cardoe

52.44948030

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SafetySmart

Kevin McGrath

51.76586710

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Anna

52.41471860

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Digital Innovators

Mick

52.32923050

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The Real Executive Coaching Co.

Heather

53.69585380

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Polly

40.71277530

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Christopher Matesic

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Partnership for Children

Liz Bowles

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Rob Hattersley

51.81919160

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Bounce Forward

52.38507370

-1.83441520

TechWizard IT Services Ltd

Richard

51.71817000

-0.19949800

Bounce Forward

52.14632360

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Forum for the Future of Education

52.68807120

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Oliver Woodman

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Jade Hadi

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Dominic

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Abdul

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Ruth Hutton-Smith

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Sara Stanczyk

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Angela

53.40546620

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The Difference

Jamie

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Claire Oliver

40.71277530

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Big Change

Freddie

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Cockwood School

Alison

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Youth Leads UK

Saeed

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Restart-ed

Ben

51.50721780

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Educate & Celebrate

Caroline

7.36972200

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DNA Africa

51.55933300

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Meet the Parents

51.49899480

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Big Change

Freddie

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Big Education

Ellie Lister

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Zoe

53.58443190

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Little Bats Learning

Elanor Gordon

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VotesforSchools

Lizzy

50.83157440

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Square Peg

52.98156630

-1.12303270

Inspiring Leaders

James Brown

51.18193840

0.38179100

Nathan

52.49481350

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Pen Green Children's Centre

Fliss dewsbery

53.85560350

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Big Change

Heena Goenka

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Angel kaur

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Youth Leads UK

Abeer

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BC Project Partners

51.27870750

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Parentkind

Louisa Mcnally

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Big Change

Eloise

53.58150340

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Emma Appleton

53.37315180

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Moorfield Primary School

Kathryn Bickerstaffe

51.16155060

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Laura

51.39834770

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Evulve Productions

Esme Michaela

51.74769110

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Samantha

53.19583100

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Branston Community Academy

Karen Stevenson

51.60181740

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Haringey Learning Partnership

53.82164330

-1.56923210

The Den

Chris

52.90552190

-1.45083790

YMCA Derbyshire

51.50721780

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Whole Education

Douglas

51.59039690

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The Grove

53.81594910

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Right to Succeed

Sarah Keating

50.43202330

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Eliza and Jae

50.51658980

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Eliza and Jae

53.49519000

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Beacon Youth Centre

53.76447450

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Kelvin Hall School

51.41778280

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House of Imagination

Penny Hay

51.50754770

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Big Change

Imogen Morrall

51.51374630

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Amar

41.87811360

-87.62979820

Amanda

53.47530620

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Youth Leads UK

Saeed Atcha

50.43088870

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Big Change

Jae Spencer Keyse

52.20160550

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Pupil Power

Aliyah Irabor York

53.47117220

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The Proud Trust

Georgie Brooke

53.41422630

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Tracey

51.46109570

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Big Change

Eloise

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The Ethereal Learning Foundation

Deborah Haddon

50.37545170

-4.13791090

University of Plymouth

Harriet Dismore

-27.52241910

152.68536490

Raising Changemaker Teens

Heidi Conway

48.22489560

16.35696500

Teach For Austria

Eva Keiffenheim

51.50721780

-0.12758620

Aquayemi-Claude Garnett Akinsanya

48.28916950

15.89415570

Alexandra

-8.81465560

13.23017560

Emanuel Catumbela

56.13036600

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Alberta

43.16515640

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Wellness for All

Patricia Gough

43.68174480

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People for Education

Robin

43.66187290

-79.39283650

Vicky

4.67864330

-74.05179140

Corporación Colombiana de Padres y Madres Red PaPaz

30.04441960

31.23571160

Nadia

60.16985570

24.93837900

HundrED

67.65073240

24.91581970

Big Change

Imogen

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One Step Ahead (OSA)

51.33952870

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Keith

5.60371680

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Peter Nana Darko

9.50909450

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Camara N'Faly Kalil

22.31930390

114.16936110

Vivian

41.70990550

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IREX

SHE's GREAT! participants

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73.85674370

PES B.ed College

Sana Sohoni

23.02250500

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Nitin

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Jerry

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Dream a Dream

Sanju RJ

8.44021200

77.91429610

johnmansingh

-0.78927500

113.92132700

Tika

52.63687780

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IPPR

Kike

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Elsa Kent

40.34167650

-76.80289330

Okky Teguh Ariyanto

41.87194000

12.56738000

DSchola Association

Eleonora Panto

41.87194000

12.56738000

Elena Radaelli

-1.29206590

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Metis Collective

Rose

-0.02355900

37.90619300

Grace

-0.02355900

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Grace

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Branson&Branson Pharmacies

Lily Shiro

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Dina

-0.02355900

37.90619300

Big Change

Eva

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Emma lawson

-1.29206590

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Liberal Africa Leadership Dev. Initiatives

19.39912100

-99.14146430

Marina Pardo

52.13263300

5.29126600

Aflatoun

Roeland Monasch

9.08199900

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Paul

-9.18996700

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Luminario

Laura Camacho

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Kate

38.72225240

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CTL ACADEMY

Mara Simmons

-1.94407270

30.06188510

Clemence UMUHOZA

-1.94027800

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Ubuntu Education

Jess

-26.20410280

28.04730510

Mduduzi Ntuli

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Children's University

Helen O'Donnell

40.53127460

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Silviu

41.38739740

2.16856800

Dominica Parravano

-1.94407270

30.06188510

Ndinde Kizito

15.57546230

32.56878540

Ithar Ahmed

13.86584920

100.49412850

Edusfere

Grant

37.76182420

-122.39858710

En Kelly

-6.36902800

34.88882200

NEEMA KAWEDI MGHASE

37.09024000

-95.71289100

Boston Public Schools

Alexandra Carroll

40.71277530

-74.00597280

Big Education Conversation

Caireen

-33.84626110

151.09080860

Grad Student HGSE

30.35424090

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Taleau

Dan Smillie

51.50721780

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The Edge foundation

Elena Wilson

36.48979340

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Social Emotional Learning Alliance

Amy McConnell Franklin

41.36387100

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LEARNMV

Sidney Morris

40.35729760

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Educational Testing Service (ETS)

Catherine Millett

37.54642590

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Richmond Loose Play

39.04516630

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Global Education Destinations

34.13503230

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EOF Project

Diego Fontanive

55.37805100

-3.43597300

Lontum Charles

6.52437930

3.37920570

Eazy-Digi

Adebayo Alomaja

-19.01543800

29.15485700

Brook Of Knowledge Development Agency

51.50721780

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The Edge foundation

Elena Wilson

-12.07791480

-77.04781120

Enseña Perú

Franco Mosso Enseña Perú

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Joseph

51.78739850

-1.26989640

cora

52.13007740

1.41923480

Lewis

51.51887420

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Tortoise Media

Marian Brannelly

51.95340340

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Matilda Mantell

50.39020200

-3.92043100

Eleanor

51.53576400

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James

51.59829390

0.03332600

Oakdale

51.50721780

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Protection Approaches

Dilia Zwart

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-2.81341130

Emily

53.32260100

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Ruby

51.57331940

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Yusra

51.57404490

0.14619650

Alise Lewis

52.62925670

1.29788020

Inspiration Trust

Lucy Austin

51.60857340

-0.18448180

Tuition Kit

Arti

50.11544370

-5.54509140

Isaac

50.90859550

0.24941660

Sam

50.91009220

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emma

50.82294020

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Square Peg / Rethinking Education

52.40589620

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Emma

52.63687780

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Tortoise Media

Kikelomo

51.53227360

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Jon

51.68326720

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Jenny Impey

51.46103870

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Olivia

50.80936060

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Dylan

52.49986870

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Yumna

52.63550520

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Ruth Hutton-Smith

51.74573400

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University of the West of England

Natalie Rothwellwarn

51.50721780

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Shape History

Zoe

51.50721780

-0.12758620

Flourishing Education

Fabienne

-42.04090590

146.80873220

Kathleen

30.25350100

-81.88798840

Skip Pletcher

9.08199900

8.67527700

OHAJIWU KINGSLEY

50.11879800

-5.53759200

Homegrown Learning

Sarah

52.11596710

-0.26595810

RSPB

Suzanne Welch

53.47597320

-2.20769970

Jan

51.65952250

-4.72350830

Carmarthenshire County Council

JDessent

12.00217940

8.59195610

Hassan Salisu Adam

51.55633000

0.06550920

Pupil Power

Aliyah York

50.82294020

-0.13626720

Square Peg

Ellie

51.40935330

-0.21839600

Native Scientist

Sara Marques

51.51782440

-0.02010280

Sarah

6.42805500

-9.42949900

Felecia

51.52703270

-0.11563090

Khulisa

Nora

51.57578850

0.03054620

Big Change

Nadia

12.00217940

8.59195610

Hassan Salisu

52.35551770

-1.17431970

Whole Education

52.58631790

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Researchers in Schools

Kike Agunbiade

51.42818300

-0.85060130

Mike

51.50721780

-0.12758620

Aquayemi-Claude Garnett

51.53742920

-0.45400040

Chris

7.36972200

12.35472200

DNA Africa

53.54046400

-113.49971390

R O

52.18656450

0.14498200

National Extension College

Esther Chesterman

43.95282400

4.47837200

Pierre-Jean Arnaud

53.16752570

-4.20310290

Tybed

Nia Richards

52.53678410

-2.31049040

Sally Hawker

51.40122960

-0.29740900

James

51.47101450

0.05788510

Julie Maher

53.14745060

-0.21933540

Alessandro Agorini

50.43026440

-3.68839440

ThoughtBox Education

Rachel

51.42735390

-2.76336400

Abbey

53.51752440

-1.39947230

The Further Education Tutorial Network

Sally Wootton

51.41459870

-0.06706240

Clare

52.48624300

-1.89040100

Liz

50.81976750

-1.08797690

The Nature Premium campaign

Sara

51.41834270

-0.24440860

student

50.70016600

-3.53274340

Glynis

51.72833580

0.67021600

Jo Phillips

51.58254660

-1.79639930

Carol

51.55933300

-0.12850630

Rescue Our Schools

51.50721780

-0.12758620

yelena

53.67966530

-1.53067600

Susan Khushi

51.57281140

-0.10001590

The Visionaries

Olusola Adebiyi

53.31669130

-0.95833890

Louise

50.84514300

-0.15410530

Plug-in Media

Juliet Tzabar

51.41778280

-2.35883000

Bath Spa University

Dr Penny Hay

51.59302020

-0.16045770

Anne Nicholls

50.83331290

-0.12959170

Nice Media

Melanie

52.08050410

-0.55608300

Nick Martin

51.54247960

0.08337500

Sadia Moaeee

51.87121110

-1.70143170

HeadsUp4HTs

40.26531720

-74.52315530

Peddie school

Leon Zhao

51.51698530

-0.19376150

Big Change

Eloise

52.45904140

-1.98317850

Woodhouse Primary Acedemy

Mr Wilson

54.89414200

-1.92961500

USA Study

Phil Garner

51.39446260

-0.08340730

Beckmead College

Miss Sam

50.64698140

-1.17812140

Broadlea Primary

Richard

55.23184860

-2.57955620

Kielder Primary

Lee

50.91205220

-0.56929310

Bury Primary

Thomas

53.64320080

-0.74785500

Luddington and Garthorpe Primary School

Janine

53.85553880

-3.03782230

Blackpool Youth Council

Andrew

51.38830470

-0.01812430

Langley Park School

Karmelle, Carolina, Fayo

48.85342750

2.35827880

LearningPlanet Alliance - Sorbonne

Jeanne Louise

23.36355690

88.52752490

RISE

Sanju Pal

55.61163250

12.99003820

Salzburg Global Seminar/ SEE Learning

Corinna Nawatzky

53.67322080

-1.93725710

Noble + Eaton

Joanne

51.51836770

-0.18881070

Big Change

Heena

39.67512690

-104.96809140

South High School

Julie

-37.81236530

144.97093940

Learning Creates Australia

Calum

12.93533540

77.58404690

Dream a Dream

Suchitha

40.41375030

-79.90888290

Remake Learning

Tyler

50.43095770

-3.68730040

The Artist Within

Jae

30.11231500

31.34385070

Malvern College

Joseph

45.45500630

-75.59180150

Uniting for Children and Youth; My Life My Education

Richard Fransham

52.05783480

-1.35166660

Frank Wise School

Griffiths Centre

52.62755110

-1.09143570

Big Change

Khadejah

52.62762090

-1.09179140

Crown Hills Community College

Sofia

51.51865850

-0.18882820

Big Change

Heena

51.51865850

-0.18882820

Big Change

Heena

51.51865850

-0.18882820

Big Change

Heena

25.27109540

82.98241210

Sunbeam Bhagwanpur

Pareshi

40.04083890

-75.42573250

an international philanthropy advising firm

Joshua

41.39288780

2.17461440

CATESCO

#DiàlegsEducació2030

51.51098310

0.06231340

Winsor Primary School

Pauline

44.38716890

26.01752230

DOT

Marius Dogaru

52.47740010

-1.89055780

Phoenix Education Trust

Priyanka Pagadala

1.21241070

33.78040360

Teso region federation of communities (TERFECO)

Sam opolot

-23.54086590

-46.76738380

Fundação 1Bi

Bianca

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Meet the Big Education Project Council

Our Project Council are 13-19 years old and play a key role in shaping and developing the Big Education Conversation, supported by our partner Youth Leads UK and the Big Change team.

Our Project Council