The Future of Education

ROSINA DORELLI, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF DA VINCI LIFE-SKILLS.

Article 26 of the United Nation’s Universal declaration of Human Rights (1948), relates to education. Part of section 2 states that, “Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality.” I would like to question whether the current English state education system is adequately meeting this goal.




What is implied by, “the full development of the human personality”? Do we have a common personality? Science has shown that humans have large complex brains and live in large complex social groups. We appear to have a strong sense of curiosity that leads us to want to explore, understand and manipulate our environment. Research suggests that, “intelligence is a very general mental capability that, among other things, involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly, and learn from experience.” (Stern, 2017). Is focusing on a narrow set of academic skills and sitting high stakes exams the best way to fully develop a human personality, to enable them to flourish in life?


Humans have a unique mental flexibility to adapt to our changing environment, but the transition from hunter gatherer tribes to the industrial revolution happened in just a few thousand years, “the genes that guide human brain development have not undergone remarkable changes during the last 50,000 years. This means that as a species, humans are genetically adapted to accomplish requirements of the world as it existed at approximately 48,000 BC.” (Stern, 2017). Designing a well-rounded education system for the modern human is therefore a complicated task that perhaps requires a combination of ancestral knowledge and modern technology.

 

The current UK state education system was invented at the end of the nineteenth century to meet the needs of the industrial revolution and to prepare children to live in an increasingly complex world. It has helped to raise standards in literacy and numeracy, provided opportunities to bridge the class divides and improved our economic progress in the global arena. The UK ranks 15th and 17th in world literacy and numeracy according to the studies lead by the OECD’s 2018 PISA reports, but, “the UK’s students were also found to have the second lowest levels of “life satisfaction” in the OECD.” (The Times, 2022). So where are we going wrong?

 

We are now entering a new technological revolution, with the rapidly advancing inventions of smart phones, virtual reality and AI. It is an increasing VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) world. We can no longer predict what our children’s future will look like. Businesses are complaining about the lack of skilled workers, not just in IT, but in life-skills such as teamwork, self-management and creative thinking. Hi-stakes exams are causing depression because, “a third of pupils in England are in effect written off at 16 because they fail to get grade 4 or above in English and maths GCSEs” (The Times, 2022), add this to the threat of climate change and the unethical use of dopamine addiction in many social media platforms, it is no wonder that we are seeing an alarming increase in unhappiness and mental health issues in our young people.


We have founded Da Vinci Life-Skills to help tackle some of these problems. We have created a vision of what education could be in the future, directed to the holistic development of the whole human personality. Based on extensive research, we are building a new curriculum and assessment model to meet the needs of future generations. We are focusing on the development of life-skills and how to nurture human beings’ inherent curiosity and love of learning. Our 5 project pathways explore a range of academic, physical, social/ emotional and creative/intuitive skills, guided by the UK National Curriculum and student interest. We believe that a convergence of ancient wisdom and technological innovation can guide us into a creative, ethical and sustainable future for all. To find out more please visit, https://davincilifeskills.com.




References:


OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), (2018). Retrieved from

https://www.oecd.org/pisa/publications/pisa-2018-results.htm

 

Stern, E. (2027). Individual differences in the learning potential of human beings. npj Science Learn 2, 2. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1038/s41539-016-0003-0

 

The Times Interim Report, (2022). Retrieved from

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/society/education/education-commission

 

UN General Assembly, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, (10 December 1948). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights



This article was first published in Engage 24.

BY ROSINA DORELLI, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF DA VINCI LIFE-SKILLS • September 12, 2022

UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

By Ann Beatty • September 25, 2026
A moment to be proud of and a reminder of why young people’s voices matter. Today, artwork created by students from UNESCO ASPnet UK schools on the theme of peace was presented to Pope Leo XIV at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, alongside artwork from young people in other countries. What an amazing opportunity for our students to have their creativity, ideas and hopes represented on an international stage. For me, this is what UNESCO ASPnet is about: creating opportunities for young people to connect across cultures, express themselves creatively, learn from one another and imagine a better future together. The power of young people’s creativity: their voices being part of an international conversation about education, peace, culture and our shared future. UNESCO’s programme for Pope Leo XIV’s visit specifically focused on education, artistic creation, AI, information integrity and peace. The work was part of a mural that brings together 80 original creations marking UNESCO’s 80th anniversary, produced as part of the "International Youth for Peace" competition organized by France TV and UNESCO.

Change Starts with a Will: Leave a Legacy That Helps Transform Education

September 7, 2026
Most of us want to leave the world a little better than we found it. Whether that's through the people we love, the values we pass on, or the causes we care about, we all hope our legacy will make a difference. One of the simplest ways to do that is by writing a will. This autumn, we are proud to be taking part in the Change Starts with a Will campaign, allowing our supporters to write or update their will free of charge through our trusted partner, Octopus Legacy. Why writing a will matters Writing a will isn't just about deciding who inherits your possessions. It's about making sure your wishes are respected and providing peace of mind for the people you care about. Having a will means you can: Protect the people you love. Make important decisions about your estate. Reduce uncertainty for your family. Leave a lasting gift to a cause that reflects your values. Many people put off writing a will, believing it's something to think about later in life. In reality, it's one of the most important documents you'll ever create. A legacy that supports education Steve Sinnott dedicated his life to championing education as a fundamental human right. His belief was simple but powerful: every child deserves the opportunity to learn, and every teacher deserves the support they need to inspire future generations. Today, we continue that mission by working with partners across the world to improve access to quality education, strengthen teaching and support communities where education can change lives. When you choose to leave a gift in your will to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, you're helping ensure that this work can continue for years to come. After taking care of family and friends, even a small gift could help provide learning opportunities, strengthen education systems and create brighter futures for generations to come. A gift that lasts beyond a lifetime Legacy gifts play an important role in helping charities plan for the future. Your support could help us continue investing in sustainable education projects, supporting teachers and ensuring more children have access to the education they deserve. It's a powerful way to ensure your values live on long into the future. Write your will for free As part of our Autumn 2026 campaign, we're offering supporters the opportunity to write or update their will free of charge through Octopus Legacy. There is no obligation to leave a gift to The Steve Sinnott Foundation, but we hope you'll consider remembering us after you've taken care of those closest to you. Together, we can continue Steve Sinnott's vision of a world where education changes lives. Find out more If you've been thinking about writing your will, there's never been a better time. Our free will service is available until 31 October 2026 , making it easy to protect the people you love while considering the lasting impact your legacy could have on education worldwide.  https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will?channel=partner Change starts with a will. And together, we can help create a future where education is accessible to everyone.

What happens when creativity, young people, education and community come together?

By Ann Beatty • August 25, 2026
Seeds of Hope are everywhere! “I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Stage at the Lake…” But it was special to meet all of the Calderdale team in person, who had brought this four-day event together so successfully. Sometimes an event stays with you long after the final performance has finished. My visit to Stage at the Lake at the beautiful Shibden Hall in Calderdale was one of those occasions. As UNESCO ASPnet UK Coordinator, I was delighted to be invited as a guest, but what I experienced was much more than simply attending an event. Here, in the grounds of a house steeped in history, the past, present and future seemed to meet. The English Chamber Orchestra filled the setting with music, Northern Ballet brought movement and storytelling to life, and throughout there was a wonderful sense of creativity, community and possibility. And then there were the parklets; a unique gardening festival at Shibden Park celebrating community, creativity and the power of nature to bring people together. At its heart was a specially commissioned trail of ten micro show gardens, designed and built by community groups from across Calderdale. It was wonderful to see spaces where ideas, conversations and creativity were flourishing and connecting through Seeds of Hope. I cannot wait to see them transported to their ‘forever homes’. Standing there, I found myself thinking about what we mean when we talk about education, culture and hope.