From Surviving to Thriving: Class 13’s Education and Wellbeing Project
From "THINC Fund Large Projects (£25,000-£50,000)"
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Class 13 is an award-winning Brixton-based charity transforming education by centring equity, community and care. Our work tackles young people’s mental health challenges by addressing the structural root causes of stress and anxiety in schools, rather than responding only to symptoms. Research shows that punitive behaviour systems worsen wellbeing, with over half of young people reporting that school negatively impacts their mental health (YoungMinds, 2023). These systems disproportionately harm pupils from marginalised backgrounds, compounding inequality.
Our approach shifts school culture from punishment to understanding, from control to connection. We work with educators to build inclusive, reflective classrooms that prioritise empathy and belonging. Over 85% of teachers we train report moving away from reactive behaviour management towards approaches that actively promote wellbeing. By embedding practices that nurture rather than erode mental health, we reduce stress, anxiety and exclusions, creating schools where students and staff can thrive.
Our Embedded Pilot is currently transforming two Lambeth schools (Henry Fawcett Primary and Lilian Baylis Technology School), reaching around 1,200 students. Through deep listening, observation and collaborative problem-solving, we help school communities identify and change everyday practices, such as rigid uniform rules, restricted toilet access or punitive detentions, that unintentionally dehumanise students and staff. Together, we reimagine these norms to build environments where young people feel safe, seen and valued.
What the project will deliver:
THINC funding would extend this learning to eight schools in Brixton, offering a 100% discount on our Membership offer (valued at £6,000 each per school). Recognising that staff cover is the biggest barrier to participation, we will ring-fence the funding to provide a £2,500 contribution per school towards release time or supply cover, ensuring staff can attend training and implementation sessions without disrupting provision.
Each participating school will receive:
- One INSET day focused on equity and wellbeing
- Training for 9 staff members, equipping them to embed inclusive practice
- Strengthened safeguarding culture
- Active participation in a Brixton learning network linked to our Embedded Pilot
Communities supported:
Our work serves children and families on low incomes; Black, Asian and minoritised groups; young people with insecure immigration status; LGBTQ+ students; those living with disabilities or long-term health conditions; and those in or leaving care. Our intersectional, equity-led approach recognises that mental health cannot be improved in isolation from these overlapping experiences.
Difference and community impact:
By embedding inclusive, trauma-informed practice in schools, we create environments where all young people, especially those most marginalised, feel safe, valued and able to thrive. This project strengthens mental health, reduces exclusions and empowers educators to lead lasting cultural change across Brixton and Peckham.
Why this project will succeed:
Class 13 combines evidence-based practice, long-term engagement and a proven record of changing educator behaviour. Our embedded, reflective model ensures that equity and mental health improvements are sustainable, scalable and culturally rooted, making this a transformative and enduring intervention for local young people.
Total amount of funding requested: £48,000
Class 13 operates a mixed-income model, combining grants with earned income. Our embedded pilot, supported by Impact on Urban Health, now needs match funding to progress. Securing support from THINC would be pivotal, providing the investment to sustain and deepen this work within the local community. With local and national backing, we can build lasting systemic change, ensuring benefits for pupils, families and educators endure beyond the pilot.