Class 13’s work focuses on three key, interlinked challenges in education: the deterioration of young people’s mental health; rising exclusion rates that disproportionately affect “disadvantaged” and minoritised young people; and teacher retention in rapid decline.
Working alongside the educators on the frontline fighting for equity, we adopt a systemic approach to address these intertwined challenges.
We focus on transformative change rather than mitigation. This means that our practice framework continually evolves and develops over time.
Using the Three Horizons Framework, we see the current need for organisations like “Aspire Youth” to support young people facing urgent issues. However, Class 13 aims to reimagine and build an emerging future by working on systemic changes that foster lasting, transformative impacts. Our approach addresses the root causes of exclusions, like persistent disruptive behaviour, and supports the well-being of all young people, reducing the need for specialist interventions.
While traditional interventions like “Aspire Youth” impact a specific cohort of young people, Class 13’s strategy of working directly with teachers multiplies our impact, benefiting not only current young people but future generations as well.
participants understood how deficit thinking relates to their practice
participants feel more confident teaching in a multiracial classroom
participants having better conversations about racism with colleagues
Our systemic approach identifies a vicious cycle created by three interconnected challenges. As relationships break down, schools often shift towards more process-driven approaches, such as punitive behaviour methods. This shift is often seen in the renewed enforcement of policies at the beginning of each term. These methods further harm young people’s mental health, increase exclusion rates, and create a stressful environment for teachers, resulting in high turnover, continuing the cycle.
We aim to disrupt this by supporting teachers to create a sustainable cycle instead. Our training provides educators with proactive, adaptable behaviour management strategies that prioritise relationships. These strategies are designed to be future-proof, offering a reflective framework that enables educators to centre their teaching around strong, supportive relationships. This approach aims to nurture affirming environments, support young people’s mental health, and reduce exclusion rates, effectively breaking the vicious cycle and fostering a thriving educational community.
Mission 44 is proud to partner with and fund Class 13. They tackle systemic issues like poor youth mental health, worsening teacher retention, and rising exclusion rates. By focusing on root causes, they transform schools into equitable, community-focused, child-centred spaces, ensuring every young person understands that they matter.
I think Class 13 is doing important and worthwhile work. The focus on systemic change and mental health is critical for the sustainability of our education system.
We collaborated with Class 13 to develop guidance and toolkits for addressing educational disadvantage and systemic barriers to equity. Curtis from Class 13 has been an invaluable speaker and trainer at our events, further solidifying our partnership.
Class 13 is a much-needed intervention that has the power to foster an anti-bias culture in schools. We are proud to support Class 13 which we believe has the potential to have a systemic impact in schools in the area of equality and racial justice.
Impact on Urban Health is proud to fund and work alongside Class 13. Their unique approach transforms schools into safe, nurturing environments, prioritising equitable, democratic education over resilience. This systemic change is crucial to address the current mental health crisis, considering the impacts of poverty and racism on young people’s health.
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Class 13 was founded to fill a critical gap in education and equip schools and educators with tools to tackle systemic inequities. Find out more about our organisation.
By centring equity in our practices, we are creating a foundation for long-term, sustainable change in education. Discover more about our transformative approach.
Class 13 was founded to fill a critical gap in education and equip schools and educators with tools to tackle systemic inequities. Find out more about our organisation.
By centring equity in our practices, we are creating a foundation for long-term, sustainable change in education. Discover more about our transformative approach.