Bristol on the Path to Becoming a Learning City

Bristol, in the South-West of England, has recognised that learning is at the heart of its success in addressing challenges within the city.

City leaders, the local government, the private sector, universities, schools and community organisations have started working together to accelerate the further development of Bristol. A Vision for Bristol includes the vision of being a Learning City; a vehicle to promote, connect and build on the breadth of learning already taking place. The aim is to bring together organisations to harness the power of learning, to deliver action and address city-wide challenges by focusing on four pillars of learning:

• Learning for Life –encouraging all ages to actively learn in ways which are enjoyable and fun, with a focus on addressing social inclusion;
• Learning for Everyone – creating accessible learning activities and connecting those at risk of being marginalised or disengaged from the City;
• Learning in Education –raising the attainment of students through formal learning in Bristol’s schools, colleges and universities; and
• Learning for and at Work –supporting Bristol’s citizens in their work and encouraging employers to create sustainable learning projects.

The first Partnership Board, chaired by the Mayor of Bristol, has just taken place (March 2015) and will continue to drive the ambition in the coming years by championing, commissioning, communicating and celebrating learning in the city. More information on Bristol as a city and its actions:

• Video on Learning Cities
• Education and skills mayoral commission
• Bristol City
• Bristol’s Resilience Challenge
• Member of PASCAL Inclusion and Entrepreneurial Learning Cities Network
• Bristol: European Green Capital