THE NEW SCHOOL (charity number 1191796) is a UK-based nonprofit democratic educational charity, established with the mission to transform the approach to education by centering on young people’s agency, wellbeing, and holistic development. Launched in September 2020 in South London, it operates as a non-fee-paying school offering a distinctive model that prioritizes young people's voices and democratic participation within their educational experience[1][5].

Philosophy and Approach

The New School was founded to challenge the limitations of the UK’s traditional education system, which often emphasizes standardized testing and a narrow curriculum that neglects broader interests, creativity, and essential life skills. The school promotes a more expansive vision of education, one that enables students to pursue their passions and develop the capabilities to influence their lives and communities actively. It operates with the principle that educational transformation requires changing not just outcomes but the systemic rules themselves[1].

Educational Model

The school employs democratic education principles, providing small mixed-age classes and empowering students with significant control over their personal learning plans. While essential skills such as literacy, numeracy, and digital literacy remain integral, students have the autonomy to tailor what and how they learn to best suit their individual needs. The school replaces traditional punitive discipline policies with a community accountability approach and emphasizes building quality relationships through inclusive practices and daily class circle times where students reflect and express their feelings[5].

Accessibility and Funding

Unlike many democratic education initiatives that are fee-paying and thus limited in accessibility, The New School is committed to removing income barriers by operating as a comprehensive, non-fee-paying institution. This accessibility is made possible through philanthropic support and a long-term vision to collaborate with mainstream education sectors and local authorities to scale and sustain its innovative model through a robust financial and educational blueprint[1][5].

Impact and Evaluation

The New School is actively engaged in generating evidence to demonstrate its impact on students’ learning, wellbeing, agency, and identity development. It collaborates with the University of Nottingham for independent evaluation and has developed a unique outcomes model that surpasses conventional metrics. The school also aims to serve as a blueprint for local authorities to adopt and fund similar educational innovations that prioritize social return on investment and community engagement[1][5].

Leadership

The initiative was founded by Lucy Stephens, whose diverse background in social psychology, education, nutritional therapy, herbal medicine, and work with marginalized youth shaped the democratic ethos and practical framework of The New School. Stephens emphasizes putting research into practice to address entrenched problems within education and society[1].

The New School continues to be a pioneering force in reimagining education in the UK, advocating for an inclusive, democratic, and wellbeing-centered approach that prepares young people not just academically but as active, fulfilled citizens.

[1] https://www.big-change.org/about-our-community/meet-the-changemakers/the-new-school [2] https://www.thenewschool.org.uk [3] https://www.thenewschool.org.uk/charity [4] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5167395 [5] https://speakingcitizens.org/blog/the-new-school-putting-young-peoples-voice-at-the-heart-of-their-education/