Strongly advocating for putting relationships at the heart of the organisation and design of our schools for over 30 years.
Our Work
Human Scale Education has developed a seven strand strategy to address the multiple crises that we face within the education system and the wider world. Our response is based on the evidence that we gathered during our consultation phase in 2022 in which we explored the question, 'What does it mean for education to be human scale in 2023 and beyond?'
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These seven strands have since formed the basis of our development plan which we continually put into action. In 2026, there has never been such a crucial time for HSE to continue this work. We are always looking for members and partners to work with us and to support this mission, to help bring our values of respect, democracy, equity, social justice and sustainability to life at every level of the education system.
Our Seven Strands
We might be a small charity, but through our development plan we are focusing our efforts on the areas where we can make the greatest impact. Each strand has Think Pieces which explore the topic in more detail as well as resources which are available for members.
Identity
How to improve a sense of belonging in schools and to help students find and live with their identity e.g. in terms of transgender children.
Leadership
Supporting leaders on how to create a relationship-focused school.
Artificial Intelligence
How to navigate the future of AI with human-led integrity.
Environmental Intelligence
How to respond practically to help students and staff improve our Environmental Intelligence to help the catastrophic resource and climate change issues we all face.
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Parents
How parents' (inc. carers) advocacy, their choices and feedback can create change from the grassroots up.
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Professional Development
The training of teachers and educational professionals in terms of what they can do now and, in the future, to enhance relationships in schools.
Political
How to influence policy review and reform. Updated: 2026 with a focus on local elections, SEND & National Curriculum Reforms.
Articles and Resource linked to our Seven Strands:
Identity
Think Piece: Identities Teaching Identities
Professional Development
Think Piece:
Environmental Intelligence
Think Piece: Smart, Sustainable Living: The Importance of Environmental Intelligence
Resource: The Ethical Diary Tool
Resource: Three Case Studies
Resource: Adaptable Lesson Plan
Full Article: Smart, Sustainable Living
Leadership
Think Piece: 10 Top Tips to Being a Human Scale Leader
Resource: School Self-Evaluation Tool
Parents
Think Piece: Identities Teaching Identities
Artificial Intelligence
Think Piece: Artificial Intelligence- Friend or Foe?
Political
Think Piece: Smart, Sustainable Living: The Importance of Environmental Intelligence
Resource: The Ethical Diary Tool
Resource: Three Case Studies
Resource: Adaptable Lesson Plan
Full Article: Smart, Sustainable Living
What does it mean for education to be human scale in 2023 and beyond?
Our suite of panel experts answer this question through the lens of relationships. We look at how schools can give young people opportunities to develop self-knowledge, relationships with others, and a relationship with the environment. This work is part of a wider consultation and relaunch of Human Scale Education in 2023. We are looking at how we can widen access to a human scale education in state schools.