Improving learning & equity in schools and systems
Learning First is an education research and consulting group. We work closely with education leaders to tie policy reform at the highest level of government to deep change in the classroom.
Staying the Course on What Matters Most
Ireland’s Education System
When you think of the leading education systems in the world, not many people think of Ireland, but the data says we should. For example, in the 2022 OECD PISA assessments of reading, Ireland finished only behind Singapore in global rankings. 95% of students attain upper secondary education and 60-70% go straight from school to university.
What are the reasons for this success? The culture and history of Ireland is important. But the foundations of their education success are the same as every high-performing system around the world: a strong knowledge-rich curriculum and assessment system, strong instruction, and a strong teacher workforce. And then policies to ensure consistent implementation across schools and classrooms.
A quality knowledge-rich curriculum, strong assessment and instruction, and a strong teacher workforce have propelled Ireland to the top of the world education tables.
Upcoming event
Learning First Curriculum Conference:
Enriching learning through quality curriculum
19-20 August 2026
Sydney, Australia
Early bird tickets available now
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Early bird tickets available now 〰️
Our expertise
We work with governments and system leaders around the world on:
Curriculum design initiatives where we work with systems on the steps to design, write and evaluate system (or national) curriculums
Curriculum implementation approaches and specific policies to evaluate, monitor and continually improve how the curriculum is implemented in schools.
Leadership development strategies with clear leadership pipelines, recruitment and development planning, leadership development programs with built-in evaluation and procurement approaches, and evaluation and monitoring systems.
Teacher development strategies that address recruitment issues that link to teacher training providers, have effective development programs with built-in evaluation and procurement approaches, and establish structures and practices to develop teacher expertise in different subjects.
School improvement strategies, including the development of an explicit and effective school improvement model that articulates the steps leaders and teachers should take to continually improve practice and outcomes.
Evaluation, data and accountability systems that reinforce continuous improvement across a system in curricular, assessment and teaching practice.
Learning First has supported schools in many systems to develop and implement initiatives under an effective school improvement strategy. This has included:
Curriculum evaluation and improvement that identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the curriculum implemented in a school and the steps that can be taken to improve what is taught and assed in classrooms.
Leadership development with clear role clarity, recruitment and development planning, and leadership development programs
Teacher development strategies with effective development programs, and structures and practices to develop teacher expertise in different subjects.
School improvement planning that articulates the steps leaders and teachers should take to continually improve practice and outcome
Featured work
Beyond PD: Teacher Professional Learning in High-Performing Systems
Fixing the hole in Australian education
Preparing to Lead
February 2016
Teacher quality systems in top-performing countries commissioned by the Center on International Education Benchmarking® of The National Center on Education and the Economy®.
Not So Elementary: Primary School Teacher Quality in Top-Performing Systems
April 2017
Research report on what we can learn from how leading systems train, develop and structure the work of primary school teachers.
About Learning First
Founded by Dr Ben Jensen in 2014 and based in Melbourne, Australia, Learning First combines research and consulting to ensure our work with schools, governments and systems is grounded not only in the research, but also in how high-performing and improving systems and schools around the world undertake reform, develop policy, and prioritise their work so evidence-based practice improves learning and equity across all schools and classrooms.
At Learning First, we believe all schools and systems can improve. Effective education reform is difficult but achievable. Evidence from around the world shows there is a pathway for effective reform in all schools and systems. We work with teachers, schools and system leaders to help them achieve real gains in learning and equity.