Excelerate

Excelerate is a community-connected learning approach, which develops learning and teaching methods such as oracy and project-based learning. The Wood Foundation is committed to evidencing the sustainable impact of this approach to realise the potential within curricular frameworks, ensuring young people’s education experiences are preparing them to thrive in life beyond school.

Engaged, informed, motivated, and empowered young people: This is the ultimate goal of the investment. With a focus on skills and understanding their application in the real world, young people will benefit from additional exposure and opportunities to inform their school choices and better prepare them to be active, contributing citizens.

Upskilled, confident teachers with strengthened pedagogy: The Wood Foundation invests in significant professional learning opportunities and support models, working collaboratively with national and international partners, as well as facilitating a North-east network. Collaboration is a key tenet of the investment, and education practitioners are empowered to work together to devise innovative cross-curricular solutions.

Deeper relationships and activities between schools, employers, and the wider community: Schools are supported to engage their communities to co-create meaningful learning experiences for young people, ensuring that curriculum is aligned with real-world need and application. Business and Community Support Officers are in post at a number of schools to facilitate the development of relationships and the embedding of these approaches.

More high-quality and diverse learning pathways: Through innovative learning and teaching approaches and community-connected learning, all students will benefit from a school career that prepares them for their chosen education or career pathway.