Learning First Bermuda: Collaboratively designing an improved school system

Our impact

Bermuda wanted their schools to develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and values to help their young people access and create jobs of the future, be active citizens and tackle increasingly complex challenges.

Learning First is a programme of work designed and facilitated by Innovation Unit in partnership with the Bermudian Department of Education. This partnership supported schools (teachers, principals, students and support staff), parents, and the wider community to realise the Bermudian Government’s Plan 2022 vision that ‘All students are educated to lead personally and professionally, compete locally, and contribute globally’.

In late 2022, after over two years of co-design with schools and the community, Bermuda’s first Signature Schools opened its doors to students. Signature Schools offer young people the opportunity to engage in ‘Signature Learning Programmes’: project-based, personalised learning that blends academic learning with real-world trade and professional skills, and makes stronger connections between school, industry and community learning.

The approach

The Learning First approach began with an interdisciplinary Design Team of 60 who developed solutions for their six core priorities. These priorities, plus decisions from a public consultation, led to design briefs for ‘Signature Schools’ with ‘Signature Learning Programmes’ in areas including STEM and Trades. Local School Transformation Teams interpreted these briefs and developed context-specific features for each programme. Supported by the Department, Innovation Unit and professional development activities, School Transformation Teams prototyped their Signature Learning Programmes alongside their communities and learners so that they can be rigorously tested and implemented over time.

The first two Signature Schools opened in September 2022, and five new Transformation Teams worked on Parish Primaries, new Signature Learning Programmes, and a new Signature School for Hospitality, Tourism and Education Services. Innovation Unit is also working with the Department of Education to create the system conditions for these redesigned schools.