Let every student step inside the story.
360 Learning Lab began at Bradford College with a simple belief: every learner deserves to experience the places they're asked to write about — even the ones they've never been able to visit.
The award
Backed by SHINE
In June 2025, 360 Learning Lab won a £13,978 Let Teachers Shine award from SHINE (Support and Help IN Education) — recognising the team at Bradford College (Michelle Swallow, Amanda Leary and Louise Dean) with funding to turn the idea into a free, open resource for classrooms.
The people behind it
The idea
A free online library of 360° scenes that drop students into real-world settings — the bustling streets of London, the moody landscapes of Haworth, the quiet solemnity of a graveyard — so a place they could never visit becomes something they can explore, and write about.
Why it matters
Many students struggle to imagine places they've never experienced — a gap in "cultural capital" that makes creative writing harder. By placing the whole class inside a scene, on any device they already have, the Lab turns a blank page into a world to describe.
In their words
“A significant challenge, particularly in English, is sparking creativity among students. Learners struggle to imagine scenes because they haven't had those opportunities to travel or experience different places.”
“Students from disadvantaged backgrounds often lack enriching experiences outside school required to build cultural capital. 360 Learning Lab is designed to be affordable, accessible, and scalable.”
“It's really exciting, to think that the work that you put in is going to bear fruit. We're really grateful for the support from SHINE — it's a fantastic opportunity.”
What the award builds
- Filming and editing 360° video content
- A free online platform any teacher can use
- Training so teachers can run it with confidence
- Curriculum-aligned resources for set texts, themes and exam questions
The team's goal is to grow the Lab beyond Bradford College and into classrooms everywhere.
Story and quotes from the SHINE Trust announcement of the Let Teachers Shine 2025 winners.
Read the original announcement