ABOUT US

What We Do

We work collaboratively with schools, leaders and organisations to explore what creates places of belonging — and what becomes possible when people feel they belong.

OUR APPROACH

We look at schools through the ‘Prism of Place and Belonging’.

When you look through a prism, the light changes. You see things afresh. When you look at schools through the ‘Prism of Place and Belonging’ you see how things are and how they could be.

Our approach is collaborative. Our aim is to build and share knowledge.

We draw on the most up-to-date evidence from research and professional practice and support our activities with creative and imaginative resources: videos, Blogs and Resources, podcasts, research tools and key publications.

School community — Schools which are places of belonging are great places to be

HOW

How we turn ideas into practice

Partner schools and organisations to help create the conditions for school belonging

We draw on the knowledge, skills and experiences of participants and link this to evidence from a range of sources. We run programmes and workshops designed to be enjoyable, challenging and worthwhile, such as:

Creating the Conditions for School Belonging

An innovative programme designed to give participants insights into research on belonging and exclusion and what this means for their schools; the opportunity to undertake a school-based inquiry on belonging; and support them in identifying the intentional actions they can take to make the difference.

Key learning point: When staff and students are involved in research in this way, it helps them develop their skills and capacities. They discover what is, as well as what might be. This approach contributes to the likelihood that positive change will happen.

Help grow leadership, professionalism and creative thinking

Leaders have choices about how they lead.

They shape the school culture and define what is possible by what they say, what they do and who they talk to.

Whether a school becomes a place of belonging for young people and adults, or a closed place (where young people are ostracised by a clique, staff feel unappreciated, and families marginalised) is shaped by the leadership of the school.

Carry out leading edge research designed to push the boundaries of knowledge and understanding

Place and belonging in school: Why it matters today

Research commissioned by the National Education Union (NEU)

Key learning point: In schools where belonging works, young people tend to be happier, more confident and perform better academically. Their teachers feel more professionally fulfilled and valued, and families feel more connected.

Leading in a New ERA: Compassionate Leadership for School Belonging

Research supported by Telford and Wrekin Council and the London Boroughs of Hackney and Islington into the leadership journeys of sixteen headteachers during the Covid-19 Pandemic.

Key learning point: We are ‘hardwired’ for compassion, and the journey to kindness and compassion has benefits for all. Compassionate leaders are compassionate to themselves and others, highly relational, genuine, and work to create the conditions for school belonging.

LEADERSHIP & LEARNING

A fresh perspective on leadership

In our work with school leaders - on a range of professional and academic programmes - we offer a fresh perspective on leadership.

Our interactive workshops and keynote sessions enable participants to make connections and collaborate with colleagues.

PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships and Collaborations include

Scotland

Contributing to Education Scotland’s ‘Into Headship Conference’ for over two hundred aspirant leaders.

Sweden

Providing a keynote input at the schools and colleges leadership conference organised by the Association of Local and Regional Authorities Västernorrland, Sweden.

Catalonia

Developing a series of workshops for the Departament d'Educació Catalonia designed to support the delivery of its ambitious ‘Learning at the School that Learns’ programme.

London

Developing a community-based programme ‘Deptford a World of Possibilities’, designed to harness the wisdom of stakeholders and leaders in Deptford; develop their sense of place and leadership; and grow collaboration and partnership around common purpose.

Leeds

Keynote contributors to the Diocese of Leeds’ Annual Leaders’ Conference, Being and Belonging: Many parts but one body.

People learning together — Learning from each other