Join the Free Pilot Scheme

The 2026 Founding Partner Pilot Scheme

Status: FULLY FUNDED | Cost to School: £0

The Common Understanding Trust (TCUT) is offering a limited number of UK schools the opportunity to join our Founding Partner Pilot Scheme. This programme is designed to help you meet the new statutory requirements of the 2026 DfE White Paper and the National Oracy Framework, at no financial cost to your budget. 

• No Programme Fees: The full CERL curriculum is provided for free.

• No Training Costs: Specialist staff CPD is included at no charge.

• No Hidden Invoices: There are no "introductory" rates or hidden administrative fees.

• Fully Funded: All resources, direct delivery, and support are 100% funded for our founding partners.

The Challenge: Moving from Passive Recipients to Active Participants 

• The Department for Education’s 2026 White Paper, ‘Every child achieving and thriving,’ demands a shift in our classrooms. Students must move from being passive recipients to active participants who can debate, question, and challenge ideas safely.

• However, for many school leaders, asking staff to facilitate debates on controversial issues is daunting. Teachers need the confidence, neutrality, and practical frameworks to navigate these topics without adding to their workload.

The Solution: The CERL Framework

We teach students HOW to think, not WHAT to think.

Our CERL Framework (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning, Limits) provides a robust, neutral structure for schools to facilitate complex discussions. We build students' information resilience so they can handle controversial issues constructively

What you get:

• FREE Ready-to-Use Lesson Resources: Four complete, printable KS3-ready lesson booklets with teacher scripts and structured activities.

• FREE Specialist Teacher Training: Practical CPD focused on strategies for neutrality and safe discussion facilitation.

• FREE Direct Delivery to Pupils: We deliver sessions directly to your students to practice evaluating evidence and building intellectual humility.

• FREE Ongoing Partnership: Responsive support, check-ins, and refinement tailored to your school's specific needs.

The Commitment: Light-Touch & Realistic

In exchange for this fully funded support, we ask for a "partnership of time" rather than money:

• One hour of staff time for specialist CPD (Twilight, INSET, or department meeting).

• A named school lead to act as our point of contact.

• Timetable access for student sessions.

• Honest feedback via short pre/post surveys to help us evaluate the impact.

Safeguarding and Neutrality: We do not promote political viewpoints. We teach how to evaluate claims and discuss disagreement responsibly.

Ready to Secure Your Fully Funded Spot?

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