Join the Free School Programme

Join the 2026 Founding Partner Programme

Fully funded for UK schools

Cost to School: £0

Common Understanding is inviting a limited number of UK schools to join our 2026 Founding Partner Pilot Scheme.

This is a fully funded opportunity for schools that want to strengthen students’ critical thinking, media literacy, and reasoned discussion, without creating extra planning burdens for staff.

What your school gets

• Ready-to-use lesson resources
  Four complete printable lesson booklets with clear activities and teacher guidance.

• Specialist staff CPD
  Practical training on leading discussion with confidence, neutrality, and structure.

• Direct delivery to pupils
  Support for students in evaluating claims, using evidence, and discussing disagreement well.

• Ongoing partnership
  Check-ins, support, and refinement tailored to your school.

Why it matters

Schools need approaches that help students think carefully, handle information responsibly, and engage in discussion safely.

Our CERL Framework™  (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Limits) gives staff and students a simple structure for doing exactly that.

We teach students how to think, not what to think.

Fully funded

There are:

• Ongoing partnership check-ins, support, and refinement tailored to your school

• No programme fees

• No training costs

• No hidden charges

All resources, delivery, training, and support are provided at no cost to your school. 

What we ask in return

We ask for a light-touch partnership commitment:

• Around one hour of staff time for CPD

• A named school contact

• Timetable access for student sessions

• Brief pre/post feedback surveys

Safeguarding and neutrality

We do not promote political viewpoints.

We help students evaluate claims, use evidence carefully, and discuss disagreement responsibly. 

Apply to join the 2026 cohort

We are currently selecting a limited number of schools for our 2026 Founding Partner cohort.

If your school is looking for a practical, fully funded way to strengthen critical thinking, discussion, and information literacy, we would be glad to speak with you.