The Whole Learner: Young people on the next chapter in learning beyond limits

The Whole Learner: Young people on the next chapter in learning beyond limits is the next report in the Power of Recognising More Research Series and was co-led by young emerging researchers who have had recent experience in secondary education alongside the expertise of our partners at the University of Western Sydney – Young and Resilient Research Centre. The report reflects findings from workshops and interviews with young people across Australia who are calling for an education system that moves beyond narrow academic results to better recognise their whole selves.

By recognising the whole learner, we open doors for young people facing disadvantage and barriers in their learning. This report demonstrates how broader measures of success – beyond traditional academic metrics – can profoundly benefit young people from marginalised backgrounds – Creating safe spaces to grow, fostering engagement, building community connections, balancing pressure with passion and opening diverse pathways – enabling young people to see paths aligned with their interests and strengths, dismantling barriers and broadening aspirations. For young people navigating disadvantage, these shifts do more than improve learning outcomes – they reduce stigma, highlight the strengths cultivated through challenges, and provide a platform for ownership and accountability in learning.