Creating a Learning Agreement (UK)

Note: Want to skip the guide and go straight to the free templates? No problem - scroll to the bottom.
Also note: This is not legal advice.

Introduction

Creating a Learning Agreement is an essential undertaking for any student or educational institution in the United Kingdom. It outlines everything from the course of study to the rights and responsibilities of all involved, acting as a legally binding document that can help ensure everyone is aware of their obligations. Particularly when it comes to something as complex and far-reaching as learning, it is essential that Agreements are fair, legally sound, and drafted with great care.

The Genie AI team understands the critical role Learning Agreements play in our education system here in the UK. We know what should go into such documents; important information like expectations from both sides, details on the course of study, rights and responsibilities – even minor points like potential changes that need to be properly documented. However, this type of agreement isn’t set in stone; its nature allows for negotiation and amendment - so it’s important for all parties involved to understand their rights concerning any possible alterations.

At Genie AI we make sure you don’t have to pay a lawyer when creating your own Learning Agreement – just use our free template library! After all we believe everybody should have access to legal documents without having to worry about costs or time spent trying to understand them. Our community template library gathers millions of data points from around the world which teach our AI what a market-standard Learning Agreement should look like - meaning anyone can draft high quality legal documents with ease today!

Creating an effective Learning Agreement is an integral part of educational progression - so let us help you draft one that’s legally sound and completely tailored to your needs by checking out our step-by-step guidance below. You don’t even need a Genie AI account - we just want everyone’s learning journey off on the right foot!

Definitions (feel free to skip)

Legal Requirements: Laws and regulations that must be followed when creating a legal document.
Relevant Laws and Regulations: Laws and regulations related to the situation being addressed.
Relevant Educational Institutions: Schools or universities that are involved in the Learning Agreement.
Professional Lawyers: Individuals who work in the field of law and are knowledgeable in legal matters.
Learning Objectives: The desired outcomes of a course of study.
Learning Activities: Tasks, assignments, and readings that are part of a course of study.
Timelines and Deadlines: A predetermined schedule of when certain tasks or activities must be completed.
Roles and Responsibilities: The duties and obligations that each party is expected to fulfill.
Rights: The authority and permission to do something.
Assessment Criteria: The standards that must be met in order to evaluate something.
Review and Evaluation: Examining and judging something.

Contents

• Understanding the Purpose of a Learning Agreement
• Researching the legal requirements for a Learning Agreement
• Identifying the Necessary Parties to the Agreement
• Determining who should participate in the Agreement
• Gathering contact information for each participant
• Establishing the Course of Study and Terms of the Agreement
• Outlining the goals of the Agreement
• Listing the learning activities that will be completed
• Establishing timelines and deadlines
• Describing the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria
• Identifying the expected outcome of the Agreement
• Specifying the criteria that must be met to achieve the learning objectives
• Specifying the Rights and Responsibilities of All Parties
• Defining the expected roles and responsibilities of each participant
• Clarifying the rights of each party with regard to the Agreement
• Setting a Date for Review and Evaluation
• Agreeing on a timeline for the review and evaluation of the Agreement
• Preparing the Agreement for Signing
• Typing the Agreement in a clear and concise format
• Reviewing the Agreement with all participants
• Signing the Agreement and Finalising the Process
• Obtaining the signature of all parties to the Agreement
• Determining who will retain the original document
• Distributing Copies of the Agreement
• Issuing copies of the Agreement to all participants
• Storing the Agreement
• Deciding on the appropriate place to store the original document
• Making a backup copy of the Agreement in a secure location

Get started

Understanding the Purpose of a Learning Agreement

• Understand the purpose of a Learning Agreement and its benefits
• Research the legal requirements for a Learning Agreement in the UK
• Identify the key elements needed for a Learning Agreement
• Recognise the need for mutual agreement between the parties involved
• Review existing literature on Learning Agreements
• Explore best practices for creating a Learning Agreement

You can check this step off your list once you have a thorough understanding of the purpose of a Learning Agreement and its legal requirements in the UK.

Researching the legal requirements for a Learning Agreement

• Read up on the UK government’s guidelines for learning agreements
• Review relevant legislation, such as the Education Act 1996
• Gather information from other sources, such as the advice provided by ACAS or the Confederation of British Industry
• Consider any local or regional laws that may be applicable
• Identify any additional legal requirements that may be applicable to the agreement

When you can check this off your list:

• When you have completed the research into the legal requirements for a learning agreement and are confident that you have identified any relevant laws and regulations that may be applicable.

Identifying the Necessary Parties to the Agreement

• Identify the parties that need to be involved in the Learning Agreement. This will typically include the learner, the learning institution, and the employer, as well as any other stakeholders involved in the learning process.
• If you are unsure about who should be included in the Learning Agreement, consult with the learning institution and your employer for more information.
• List out the names of the individuals and organizations that will take part in the Learning Agreement.
• When you have identified the necessary parties to the Agreement, you can move on to the next step.

Determining who should participate in the Agreement

• Identify all people who need to be a part of the Learning Agreement, such as the student, the college/university, and any other parties involved in the agreement.
• Make sure that all people identified are willing to participate in the agreement.
• Once you’ve identified all parties involved in the Learning Agreement, you can move on to the next step of gathering contact information for each participant.

Gathering contact information for each participant

• Obtain the full name, address, email, telephone number, and signature of each participant.
• Ask participants to provide their contact information electronically or in writing.
• Verify the accuracy of the contact information that was provided.
• Make sure that all necessary contact information has been collected from all participants.
• Once all contact information has been collected, you can move on to the next step.

Establishing the Course of Study and Terms of the Agreement

• Decide on the academic course or program of study that will be completed
• Determine the duration of the program
• Establish the terms, conditions and expectations of the agreement, including the responsibilities of each party
• Define the course of study and its outcomes
• Establish the roles of each party in the agreement
• Specify the financial obligations of each party
• Outline the process for settling any disputes

You’ll know that you can check this off your list and move on to the next step when you have established the course of study and terms of the agreement, and all parties involved have agreed to them.

Outlining the goals of the Agreement

• Establish what the student and the institution hope to accomplish with the agreement
• Use SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-based) goals to outline the objectives
• Clearly define the outcomes and objectives of the agreement
• When both parties are satisfied with the goals of the agreement, move on to the next step.

Listing the learning activities that will be completed

• List out the learning activities that will be completed - include both the activities themselves, and the specific outcomes that will be achieved.
• Be sure to include the assessment methods that will be used to assess the learning activities and outcomes.
• Consider the most effective methods to achieve the learning outcomes, such as lectures, workshops, seminars, presentations, simulations, etc.
• List out any resources that will be necessary for the successful completion of the learning activities.
• When you have completed this step, you will have a clear list of the learning activities that will be completed and the resources that will be needed to complete them.

Establishing timelines and deadlines

• Set a timeline that outlines the start and finish dates of the learning agreement.
• Establish deadlines for the completion of learning activities and the submission of assessment criteria.
• Consult with the learner to ensure that the timeline is feasible and that the deadlines are achievable.
• Put the timeline and deadlines in writing and have both parties sign off on it.
• Once the timeline and deadlines have been established, these can be checked off the list and the next step can be completed.

Describing the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria

• Outline the expected learning outcomes and assessment criteria for the learning agreement
• Define the learning outcomes in measurable terms, such as acquisition of skills or knowledge
• Identify the assessment criteria and methods that will be used to measure the learning outcomes
• Determine the minimum expected standard for each learning outcome
• Document the learning outcomes and assessment criteria in the learning agreement
• Once you have outlined the learning outcomes and assessment criteria, you are ready to move on and identify the expected outcome of the agreement.

Identifying the expected outcome of the Agreement

• Identify the expected outcome of the learning agreement. This should be a clear and measurable outcome that can be tracked and evaluated.
• Consider the skills and knowledge the learner should acquire, and how the learning outcomes can be measured.
• Establish the timeframe for the learning.
• Determine the support needed to achieve the learning objective.
• When the expected outcome of the learning agreement is identified and agreed upon, you can move on to the next step.

Specifying the criteria that must be met to achieve the learning objectives

• Establish the criteria that must be met by all parties in order to achieve the desired learning objectives.
• Include a timeline of when each criteria should be met or achieved.
• Describe the evaluation process for each criteria.
• Set goals for each criteria that should be met in order to achieve the desired learning objectives.
• Describe the measures of success for each criteria that should be met in order to achieve the desired learning objectives.
• When you have completed this step, you should have a clear list of criteria that must be met by all parties in order to achieve the desired learning objectives.

Specifying the Rights and Responsibilities of All Parties

• Identify the roles of each party (student, teacher, and other stakeholders)
• Outline the activities that each party is responsible for
• Describe the rights and responsibilities of each party
• Establish the terms of the learning agreement
• Ensure that all parties involved agree to the terms of the learning agreement
• When all parties have agreed to the terms of the learning agreement, they can sign the agreement
• Once the agreement has been signed by all parties, it is a legally binding document.

You can check this step off your list when all parties have agreed to the terms of the learning agreement and have signed the agreement.

Defining the expected roles and responsibilities of each participant

• Identify roles and responsibilities of each participant in the Learning Agreement
• Establish the expectations of all parties and ensure that everyone is clear on their respective roles
• Set realistic and achievable expectations for each participant
• Specify any additional resources or support that may be required from either party
• Clearly define the duties, tasks, and responsibilities of each participant
• Outline the process for addressing any discrepancies or issues that may arise
• When all participants are in agreement with the roles and responsibilities of each, the step is complete.

Clarifying the rights of each party with regard to the Agreement

• Understand the rights of all parties involved and document accordingly
• Draft a clause that outlines the rights of each party in the Agreement
• Ensure both parties are aware of the rights outlined in the Agreement
• Consider the legal implications of the Agreement
• Make sure all parties involved are satisfied with the Agreement
• When all parties have agreed to the rights, sign and date the Agreement
• Once the Agreement has been signed and dated, you can move on to the next step.

Setting a Date for Review and Evaluation

• Establish a timeline for when the Agreement should be reviewed and evaluated
• Set a date for when the Agreement will be revisited and discussed
• Agree on a timeline that is realistic and achievable for both parties
• Make sure that the timeline is clearly stated in the Agreement
• When the timeline has been agreed upon, ensure that both parties sign off on the Agreement
• Once the timeline and date for review and evaluation has been established, you can move on to the next step in the process.

Agreeing on a timeline for the review and evaluation of the Agreement

• Decide on a timeline for reviewing and evaluating the Learning Agreement. This should be agreed upon by both parties.
• Agree on a date and time when the Learning Agreement should be reviewed and evaluated.
• Decide on a frequency for reviews and evaluations, e.g. monthly, quarterly, etc.
• Ensure that both parties are aware of the timeline and agree to it.
• Once the timeline has been set and agreed upon, you can move on to the next step – preparing the agreement for signing.

Preparing the Agreement for Signing

• Make sure that both parties have signed the Agreement and that all the necessary details have been filled in
• Have the Agreement reviewed by a solicitor or qualified legal professional to ensure that it is legally binding
• Ensure that the Agreement contains all the relevant information as agreed by both parties, such as the duration of the Agreement and any agreed terms and conditions
• Make sure that the Agreement is dated and that both parties have provided their full contact details
• Once the Agreement has been signed, both parties should receive a copy of the Agreement for their own records
• Check that all the details in the Agreement are correct and that both parties are satisfied with the Agreement
• When all the steps are completed and the Agreement is ready to be signed, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Typing the Agreement in a clear and concise format

• Use a standard font like Times New Roman or Calibri, in size 12, to ensure readability
• Start with the date at the top of the document
• Include the full names of all participants in the agreement
• List the objectives and activities that are to be undertaken
• Specify the duration of the agreement
• Include any relevant information about the terms and conditions of the agreement
• Make sure to indicate who will be responsible for ensuring that the objectives and activities are completed
• Provide a signature line for each participant
• Once you have typed the agreement, read it over and check for any spelling or grammatical errors
• Once the agreement is typed correctly, you are ready to move on to the next step.

Reviewing the Agreement with all participants

• Go over the details of the Learning Agreement with all participants and make sure everyone understands the agreement and their obligations
• Make sure any questions or concerns are addressed and that all parties are happy with the contents of the agreement
• Ask each participant to provide a signature to confirm their agreement
• Once all signatures have been obtained, the Learning Agreement is complete and ready for filing or use
• You can now check this step off your list and move on to the next step of signing the Agreement and finalising the process.

Signing the Agreement and Finalising the Process

• Obtain a signature from each party involved in the Learning Agreement
• Ask each party to provide a witness signature
• Make sure all signatures are dated
• Check that all signatures are valid
• File the Learning Agreement in a secure location
• Once all the signatures are obtained, the Learning Agreement process is complete.

Obtaining the signature of all parties to the Agreement

• Obtain the original signed copies of the Learning Agreement from each party
• Make sure each party has read and understood it and that all signatures are present
• Check that the signatures are valid and in the appropriate places
• Make sure that the date of the signatures is correctly recorded
• Once all signatures are obtained, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Determining who will retain the original document

• Identify the party who will retain the original document, usually the institution responsible for providing the learning experience
• That party should keep the original in a safe place
• Once the document has been signed by all the parties, the original document should be returned to the party who will retain it
• Once the original document has been returned, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Distributing Copies of the Agreement

• Decide who needs a copy of the agreement and how many copies should be given to each party
• Create copies of the agreement for each participant
• Ensure all copies are signed and dated by all relevant parties
• Make sure all copies are correctly witnessed and dated
• Check that all copies contain the same information as the original document
• When all copies have been distributed, you can move on to the next step

Issuing copies of the Agreement to all participants

• Provide a copy of the Learning Agreement to each participant as soon as possible
• Ensure that each participant signs and dates the Agreement
• Remind participants to keep a copy of the Agreement for their records
• Once each participant has signed and dated the Agreement, you can check this step off your list and move on to the next step.

Storing the Agreement

• Decide on an appropriate place to store the original learning agreement, such as a filing cabinet or secure online storage.
• Make sure that the location is secure, and any personnel who have access to the document are aware of the importance of its confidentiality.
• Record the location of the original learning agreement in the organisation’s records.
• When the above steps have been completed, you can check off this step and move onto the next.

Deciding on the appropriate place to store the original document

• Establish the necessary steps for storing the original Learning Agreement document.
• Identify who will be responsible for storing the original document.
• Decide on the appropriate place to store the original Learning Agreement document.
• Ensure that the document is stored in a secure and safe location.
• Once the document is stored in its appropriate location, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

Making a backup copy of the Agreement in a secure location

• Make a photocopy of the Agreement and store it in a secure, fireproof location
• Make sure that the secure location is accessible to all the relevant people who need to be able to access it
• Make sure that the secure location is not accessible by anyone who does not need to access it
• When you have completed the above steps, you can check this off your list and move on to the next step.

FAQ:

##Q: Is a Learning Agreement legally binding?
Asked by Emily on April 10th, 2022.
A: A Learning Agreement is a legally binding contract between two parties, typically between an institution and a student. It outlines the learning goals of the student, the resources and support available to them, and the conditions for completing the learning agreement. As it is a legally binding document, it is important that both parties read and understand all of the terms and conditions included in the agreement before signing.

###Q: What is the purpose of a Learning Agreement?
Asked by Michael on August 15th, 2022.
A: The purpose of a Learning Agreement is to outline the specific learning goals of a student, as well as to ensure that both parties are fully aware of their rights and responsibilities during the course of the learning process. By signing a Learning Agreement, students can be sure that they will receive appropriate support and resources from their institution throughout their studies. Additionally, it serves to protect both parties from any potential disputes that could arise during the course of their studies.

###Q: Are there any specific requirements for creating a Learning Agreement?
Asked by Isabella on February 4th, 2022.
A: Yes, there are certain requirements that must be met when creating a Learning Agreement. The agreement should include an outline of the student’s learning goals, as well as detailed information about the resources and support available to them during their studies. Additionally, it should outline any assessment criteria that will be used to evaluate the student’s progress throughout their studies. Finally, it should also include any applicable terms and conditions related to completion of the agreement.

###Q: How long does a Learning Agreement last?
Asked by John on December 11th, 2022.
A: The length of a Learning Agreement can vary depending on the institution and program in question. Generally speaking, most Learning Agreements last for one academic year or semester at a time - although this can vary depending on circumstances. If you are unsure about how long your Learning Agreement will last for, it is best to check with your institution’s policies or contact them directly for clarification.

###Q: What is included in a Learning Agreement?
Asked by Olivia on July 1st, 2022.
A: A Learning Agreement typically includes details about the specific learning goals of the student, as well as information about resources and support available to them throughout their studies. It may also include information about assessment criteria used to evaluate progress throughout their studies, as well as terms and conditions related to completion of the agreement. Additionally, it may also include other relevant information such as contact details for support services and any applicable policies or regulations related to learning agreements in general.

###Q: Are there any restrictions on what can be included in a Learning Agreement?
Asked by Luke on May 18th 2022.
A: Yes, there are certain restrictions when it comes to creating a Learning Agreement. For example, all terms included in the agreement must be in line with applicable laws and regulations in order to remain valid - so it’s important to make sure you are familiar with relevant legislation before crafting your agreement. Additionally, some institutions may have specific requirements regarding what can be included in an agreement - so make sure you check with your institution prior to finalising yours.

###Q: Do I need permission from my institution before creating a Learning Agreement?
Asked by Emma on June 29th 2022.
A: Yes, depending on your institution’s policies you may need permission from your institution prior to creating a Learning Agreement - but this will depend on which institution you are studying at. Some institutions may require students to seek approval from relevant staff members or committees before they can create an agreement - so it’s best to check with your institution first if you are unsure about its policies or procedures related to learning agreements in general.

###Q: Is there any particular format I should use when creating a Learning Agreement?
Asked by James on October 3rd 2022.
A: Generally speaking there is no particular format that needs to be used when creating a Learning Agreement - however it is important that all necessary information is included accurately and clearly within it so that both parties are clear about their rights and responsibilities throughout the course of study. When possible it is best practice to use plain language within your agreement so as not to confuse either party when reading through it - however if more technical language needs to be used then this should be explained clearly within the agreement itself so that both parties understand what is being said.

###Q: What happens if I want to change something in my Learning Agreement?
Asked by Jacob on January 8th 2022.
A: If you want to make changes or amendments to your existing Learning Agreement then this can usually be done with mutual consent from both parties involved (the student and the institution). However if either party does not agree with proposed changes then they can refuse them - and if this happens then either party has the right to terminate the existing agreement before making any changes or entering into a new one altogether.

###Q: What happens if I breach my Learning Agreement?
Asked by Sophia on December 22nd 2022.
A: If you breach any terms included within your existing Learning Agreement then this could have various consequences depending on which terms have been breached and which institution you are studying at. Generally speaking though breaching an agreement could lead to disciplinary action being taken against you by your institution - such as being suspended or expelled from your studies altogether - so it’s important that you take extra care not to breach any terms included within your agreement whenever possible in order to avoid any potential issues later down the line

Example dispute

Raising a Lawsuit Referencing a Learning Agreement

• A plaintiff might raise a lawsuit referencing a learning agreement if they believe that their rights or interests have been violated.
• The plaintiff must be able to provide evidence of the learning agreement and show that the other party has breached the agreement.
• The plaintiff must also be able to show that they suffered losses due to the breach of the learning agreement.
• The plaintiff can pursue both compensatory damages, which compensate them for the actual losses they suffered, or punitive damages, which are designed to punish the other party for their breach of the agreement.
• The court will also consider any relevant state and federal laws when assessing the case, as well as any precedents set in similar cases.
• If the plaintiff is successful, the court may order the other party to pay damages, or may order specific performance from the other party.

Templates available (free to use)

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