King's and United Learning are working together to connect educational research with school classroom practice
More than a hundred school leaders from United Learning, a leading multi-academy trust and independent school group, joined twenty-nine academics from King's College London this summer to explore how cutting-edge research can enrich classroom teaching and help more young people access higher education.
The initiative supports King's Strategy 2030 commitment to widening participation and strengthening partnerships that benefit local communities and learners.
The conference forms part of a three-year partnership between King's and United Learning, bringing together academics and teachers to share expertise, strengthen subject knowledge and create new opportunities for students from a wide range of backgrounds.
By connecting university academics with teachers working directly with young people, King's and United Learning are helping students engage with the latest developments in academic disciplines and better understand pathways into higher education.
Inspiring curiosity
Participants joined specialist programmes in Modern Foreign Languages and the Sciences to explore how current research can inspire curiosity and academic progression, following welcome addresses from Sir Jon Coles, Chief Executive of United Learning, and Professor Rachel Mills, Vice President (Academic) at King's.
The partnership between United Learning and King's College London gives leading teachers the opportunity to be re-inspired by the love of their subject, to engage with leading academics and to work with colleagues to explore current developments in their field. Back in the classroom, teachers can take the ideas they've been thinking about to raise expectations and develop scholarship in their students and help them to be more ready for the opportunities of studying at a leading University.
Sir Jon Coles, Chief Executive, United Learning
The Modern Foreign Languages strand explored how language learning can encourage global citizenship and a lifelong enthusiasm for languages. Discussions focused on sustaining student engagement in language learning and strengthening pathways into further study, drawing on research from King's academics on learner motivation and university-school collaboration.
The Science strand explored how contemporary research can be brought into the classroom to inspire students and deepen understanding. Drawing on expertise from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and Natural Sciences, sessions highlighted the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of science, and the skills students need to address complex societal challenges and succeed in higher education.
Left to right: Adam Lamb, Director of Modern Foreign Languages - United Learning, Kim Piper, Academic Director (Student Success), King's College London, Graham Wynn, Vice President Education and Student Success, King's College London.
Looking ahead
Building on the success of last year's Geography pilot and this year's conference programme, King's and United Learning will continue to develop opportunities for collaboration between academics and teachers.
Through ongoing knowledge exchange, the partnership aims to enhance classroom practice and ensure more young people benefit from access to world-leading research and higher education opportunities.
By bringing teachers and university colleagues together around the latest research and evidence-informed practice, we can extend the impact of our work far beyond the university campus. This mutual exchange helps us better understand the experiences, aspirations and barriers facing young people today, strengthening both teaching and research while helping to raise aspirations, widen participation and ensure that more students can see themselves thriving in higher education.
Kim Piper, Academic Director (Student Success)
