Elizabeth Jarman set up the Foundation in 2009 as a not for profit organisation with three other trustees, all keen to raise the profile of the need for a re-think about the learning environments on offer for children, young people and families. The Foundation commissions, collates and disseminates research findings to help partners to create more effective learning environments.
Aware of the excitement and commitment of practitioners and teachers to participate in action research projects, Elizabeth wanted to channel this enthusiasm and create an opportunity and conduit for colleagues to collaborate on projects of national and international interest.
Our launch project was an Action Research Project focusing on Developing Places to Talk Outside. This UK project proved really popular and we also had expressions of interest from The States, so we are launching a parallel project there, our first international commissioned study.
The Foundation produces four new occasional papers each year, which focus on aspects of the learning environment. Some examples of existing papers include ‘Why Lighting Matters’, ‘Noise in Learning Environments’ and ‘Transition and the Environment’. A sample paper, which focuses on ‘Colour in the Environment’ can be viewed by registering for a triall membership.
The Foundation shares new research from our global contacts so that members are up to date on latest findings and thinking.
Keen to work with a variety of learning partners The Foundation welcomes expressions of interest for future projects or research papers. Please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
An annual membership gives you access to the site, which allows you to access a wealth of research papers, case studies, international links and the opportunity to be kept up to date on new thinking about learning environments. We hope that you find the site helpful and professionally stimulating.
We have been asked to provide annual group memberships to the Foundation, for example for Local Authorities or clusters of settings. These are now available to purchase, please email us if you’d like to discuss the available packages This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Feedback is always welcome!