John Bateman John Bateman

John Bateman

UK Youth – Why we support Whole Education

We believe that the time is right to build broad alliances to promote the importance and the value of non-formal learning as part of a broad vision of modern education by integrating non-formal learning within the Whole Education initiative. Our goal is to increase the range and quality of non-formal learning opportunities accessible to young people.

Non-formal learning offers a powerful strategy for enhancing what we call ‘self and social learning’ – focused on the learner’s ability to reflect on their own actions and values, as well as their interactions and relationships with others. This contributes to a more personalised learning experience for young people that is a vital part of a comprehensive ‘learning offer’, in terms of building ‘real world’ abilities, which, amongst other things, enhance the chances of gaining employment.

A distinctive element that non-formal learning brings to the Whole Education debate is the active involvement and commitment of young people as decision makers about their own learning.

John Bateman, MBE

Chief Executive

UK Youth