At Class 13, we believe in the power of possibility. Real, lasting change demands more than ideas—it requires action, examples, and proof of what’s achievable. A blueprint that demonstrates how schools can become places where young people, staff, and communities are fully seen, valued, and celebrated for their humanity. Spaces where liberation is interconnected, and the transformation of one is inseparable from the transformation of all.
For too long, punitive behaviour policies have dominated schools, addressing symptoms rather than causes. Unsurprisingly, this has coincided with a rise in mental health challenges for young people and a growing exodus of teachers from the profession. It’s clear: the system needs a reset.
Transforming Schools into Equitable Spaces is that reset. Through the Embedded Pilot, we will work intensively. with two Lambeth schools—Lilian Baylis Technology School and Henry Fawcett Primary School
The Embedded Pilot began in 2024 and will run for four years, concluding in 2028. The project’s goal is to integrate Class 13’s Advancing Equity Framework into every aspect of school life, reshaping approaches to behaviour management, parental engagement, recruitment, and curriculum design.
The project will unfold in three phases:
Phase 1: It Takes a Village
This phase prioritises building relationships with families through deep listening and learning, recognising their vital role as part of the school community and in supporting children’s mental health
Phase 2: The Classroom as a Space of Possibility
This phase focuses on supporting teachers in the classroom, building relationships, and offering critical reflections and
aiding with behaviour management when required. 70% of school staff will complete our Foundational Learning Programme to embed equity-centred practices into their teaching. Similar learning will take place with senior leaders, school governors, families, and the wider community to ensure whole-school transformation.
Phase 3: Pursuing Freedom Responsibly
This phase focuses on supporting teachers in the classroom, building relationships, and offering critical reflections and
aiding with behaviour management when required. 70% of school staff will complete our Foundational Learning Programme to embed equity-centred practices into their teaching. Similar learning will take place with senior leaders, school governors, families, and the wider community to ensure whole-school transformation.
The Embedded Pilot is designed to create equitable, affirming spaces where every voice is heard, and every individual—young people, staff, and community members—is truly valued. By centring equity and fostering strong relationships, this initiative seeks to achieve transformative change:
As this is a pilot, we’ll be focused on capturing learning about the programme’s efficacy as well as tracking outcomes. We’ll triangulate data from a range of sources and compare school-level data with national data via Teacher Tapp. We’ll continue monitoring outcomes for an additional two years after the pilot ends to capture sustained changes.
At Class 13, collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. We’re deeply connected to our community, working alongside organisations such as Partisan and Advocacy Academy, who share our commitment to equity. We’re also proud to be working with incredible partners like the National Governance Association (NGA) to ensure that our work creates a meaningful impact, not just locally but across the country. And there’s always room for more—your expertise, resources, and ideas could help shape this transformative journey.
This project wouldn’t be possible without the support of Impact on Urban Health, whose backing has enabled us to get started. However, there’s still a funding shortfall. If your organisation, trust, or foundation is interested in supporting this bold initiative, we’d love to hear from you. Your investment could be the catalyst for systemic change in education.
Additionally, we’ll be recruiting for several roles in 2025. If you’re passionate about creating equitable schools and want to be part of this transformative work, keep an eye on our opportunities.
For Lambeth-based educators, we’re offering a 50% discount on our Foundational Learning Programme throughout the project. This ensures that the practices we develop are shared and sustained within the borough, creating a ripple effect of change.
Let’s work together to create schools that centre equity and celebrate the humanity of every individual. Get in touch today to explore how you can be part of this journey.
This isn’t just another education report. It’s a provocation, a toolkit, and a collective call to action. An Argument for Possibility explores the hidden patterns that shape our schools—from exclusions to teacher burnout—and challenges us to imagine something radically better. Through real voices, creative storytelling, and practical tools, it invites you to not just read, but reflect, question, and act.
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.
Our work focuses on transformative change to tackle young people’s mental health; rising exclusion rates and teacher retention.
Find out more about the impact of our systemic 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.
Our work focuses on transformative change to tackle young people’s mental health; rising exclusion rates and teacher retention.
Find out more about the impact of our systemic approach.
Download An Argument for Possibility — and dare to dream.
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