Self-Directed Education
Resource Directory

Progressive Education is a social enterprise (certified by Social Enterprise UK) working to create a new paradigm of education.

This website explores why we need progressive alternatives to conventional methods in education, provides information on what the alternative approaches are, and shares ideas about how education could be reimagined.

Our directory of education providers lists progressive schools and learning communities for school-aged children and young people (4-18 years). The directory was initially a UK initiative but you can now submit a listing from all over the world. The categories include Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Democratic/Self-Directed Education, Forest School, Small Schools and Waldorf Steiner. We also have a list of online schools and opportunities for hybrid learning.

Just for clarity – as Progressive Education means different things to different people – we’re going with the dictionary definition, using the adjective “progressive” referring to change, transformation and looking to the future, as opposed to maintaining the status quo.

For us, it’s about moving away from a top-down authoritarian approach, and prioritising agency, autonomy, student voice, choice, mental health and wellbeing, as well as 21st century life skills such as creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking.

We take inspiration from models outside of the conventional school system as well as innovations taking place within mainstream.