Looking to the next 20 years
The Edge Foundation aims to solidify its role as a leading voice in education policy, focusing on making education relevant to our rapidly changing world.
With a new Chair, Edge plans to enhance employability-focused higher education, high quality vocational options, practical 14-19 curricula, and broad apprenticeships.
Edge sees opportunities for systemic change through partnerships, shifting public perceptions, and potential policy decentralisation. The foundation’s independence allows it to advocate effectively for vocational education and respond to national and international challenges.
20 years of Edge Foundation history
2004 – 2010: Changing attitudes and behaviour
The Edge Foundation aimed to elevate the status of vocational education, asserting that practical learning is as valuable as academic education.
Edge invested its endowment in high-profile initiatives like VQ Day, WorldSkills competitions, and media campaigns to shift perceptions. It also launched projects and sponsored academies.
2010 – 2017: Championing new institutions
The Edge Foundation adapted to policy changes by preserving its endowment and investing in innovative educational models like Studio Schools, Career Colleges, and University Technical Colleges (UTCs).
The Edge Hotel School exemplified its focus on blending theory with practice.
Edge also conducted international studies and local pilots to better align education with economic needs. It formalised governance and grants, supporting projects like the Eden Project Learning and Barbican Centre, aiming for scalable, systemic change in vocational education.
2017 – 2024: Focusing on impactful, cost effective activities
The Edge Foundation refined its mission to focus on impactful, cost-effective activities. Edge prioritised partnerships and research, collaborating with institutions like King’s College London and securing significant funding.
It launched initiatives such as the Edge Youth Network and supported innovative educational models like Studio Schools and Career Colleges.
Edge engaged extensively with policymakers, co-founded the Four Nation College Alliance, and ran national campaigns. During the pandemic, Edge supported online learning and post-COVID recovery, adapting to the changing educational landscape.