The Challenge
Like many schools striving to evolve, Institució Airina had invested in countless professional development sessions. They were committed and had vision, but something was always missing.
They needed someone who could help them unite all the tools, strategies, and good intentions into a shared approach that felt coherent, actionable and future-ready.
"We were already on the path to this change, but we still needed more for the teachers to be able to visualise it.” - Rosa Argiles, Sotsdirectora, Institució Airina
Their goals were ambitious:
- Shift teacher mindset towards a more learner-centred approach.
- Equip educators with practical tools to personalise learning.
- Support learners in building self-awareness, autonomy and ownership of their learning journey.
The Solution
Airina was one of six schools in the Institució group to take part in our Stages of Autonomy training, designed to support schools in embedding learner agency.
Our first step was to clarify the school's vision for learner autonomy.
It was not just about teaching autonomy. It was about creating the conditions for students to manage their learning processes more effectively.
"We started by asking: What kind of learners do we want to grow? What kind of person do we want to support?" - Georgi Panayotov, Learnlife Trainer
From there, we equipped teachers with the tools, strategies and confidence to encourage self-regulation and self-directed learning. They explored strategies for learner voice, self-directed learning, and real-time feedback loops. And perhaps most powerfully, they began to believe in their learners' capabilities.
“A team entered the training unsure if it would bring any value, and today, seeing how they run their learning experiences... the final stage is at the top of the mountain when they become an example for their peers." - Rosa Argiles, Sotsdirectora, Institució Airina
Students were empowered to take more control over their learning experiences, choosing what they wanted to explore and how to manage their time. As part of the process, educators also experienced firsthand the shift in mindset they needed to fully embrace autonomy.
The Impact
The change was visible across the whole school.
- Teachers moved from hesitation to confidence, placing trust in students and delivering learning experiences that guided them towards self-directed learning.
- Learners were more engaged in their learning and took ownership of their learning, developing stronger self-management, voice and motivation.
“I see a big impact on the learners too. There was a strong desire to learn and do things, but the conditions weren’t there. Now I see conditions for a lot of self-management, a lot of choice, a lot of student voice — and that really increases their commitment and motivation with their own learning.” - Georgi Panayotov, Learnlife Trainer
For students, the shift was personal and profound:
"Learning autonomy makes me feel older… like I don’t have to depend on others. I know I can do things by myself."
"They’ve helped me since I was small, and these values will help me when I grow up and go out into the world."
What was the Secret to Success?
Institució Airina didn’t need another training. They needed clarity, structure, and support to bring their vision to life. That’s what they found in Learnlife.
"I saw the light when I saw Learnlife...an entire process that we’ve been searching for years and years, taking courses, learning strategies, working with projects, and working with spaces. I saw how all of this could be grouped together and then launched into personalised learning." - Rosa Argiles, Sotsdirectora, Institució Airina
They now have a shared vision for learner autonomy. A team of teachers modelling new ways to learn. And a generation of learners ready to lead their own journey.
