When Brighton & Hove City Council met on the 27th February 2025 to vote on school admissions reform, it marked the culmination of a twenty-year fight for change. From the community of Whitehawk — once hidden in the city’s hollows — to the council chamber.

In this third and final episode of our three-part second series, we take you inside the decisive vote that could reshape education in Brighton for a generation. We meet the campaigners, parents and educators who’ve spent years pushing for a fairer system. Alongside their stories, we explore how power really works in our education system, from legal threats and leaked letters to the quiet pressures inside council meetings and school governance.

As Brighton takes this historic step toward greater social mix in schools, we ask: what kind of city do we want to be — and who gets to decide? After a campaign that has divided our city, this episode ends with a call: now is the time to come together — and build a fairer future, for every child.

• Rose - Parent and Volunteer, Class Divide
• Emily – Parent and Volunteer, Class Divide
• Dave – Parent and Class Divide campaigner
• Essie – Parent, Working-class academic, Volunteer at Equity in Education
• Alice – Parent, from Preston Park in Brighton
• Carlie Goldsmith – Co-founder, Class Divide
• Professor Danny Dorling – Professor of Geography, University of Oxford
• Professor Sam Friedman – Professor of Sociology, London School of Economics
• Professor Diane Reay – Professor of Education, University of Cambridge
• Oliver Percy – Barrister, education law specialist, School Inclusion Project
• Rachelle Otulakowski – Headteacher, Longhill High School
• Daniel Yates – Former Leader, Brighton & Hove City Council

• Who Is Losing Learning? – Report by IPPR and The Difference
• Creative Industries Class Report – Policy and Evidence Centre for the Creative Industries
• Social Mobility and Class Ceiling Studies – Sam Friedman’s research

Music in this series was kindly donated by Olivier Alary, Maaja Nuut, Rumm, Neil Hale, Salvatore Mercatante, Polypores, Minor Pieces, Shida Shahabi, Max de Wardener, Simon James, Rutger Hoedemaekers, Toydrum, The Official Body, Benjamin Harrison, Traams, and Clarice Jensen. Thanks to Alex at Fat Cat Records, and Colin at Castles in Space.

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When Brighton & Hove Council started sharing ideas to make secondary schools more integrated in October 2024, it sparked intense debate across the city.

In this second episode of our special series, Class Divide explores how progressive values are tested when change affects our own children's education. From parents wrestling with their fears about change to communities long excluded from real school choice, we uncover what happens when a city's self-image collides with educational inequality.

Through conversations with families across Brighton, we explore how privilege maintains itself, even in a city proud of its progressive values. As the consultation on school admissions reaches its critical phase, we ask: can Brighton embrace the change needed to create truly integrated schools?

Links & Resources:

Take part in the Council's consultation on school admissions (open until January 31st)

Link to Episode 1

Donate

Featured Guests:

Alice - Parent, Preston Park

Laura - Parent, Preston Park

Lewis - Parent, Whitehawk

Nicola - Parent and Equity in Education campaigner

Rose - Parent and Longhill School advocate

Adam Dennett - Professor of Geography

Charley O'Regan - Senior Schools Engagement Manager, Sutton Trust

Chris Ward MP

Credits:

Curtis James - Writer and Producer

Eve Streeter - Executive Producer

Carlie Goldsmith - Editorial Guidance & Class Divide co-founder

Music Credits:

Music in this series was kindly donated by Olivier Alary, Maaja Nuut, Rumm, Neil Hale, Salvatore Mercatante, Polypores, Minor Pieces, Shida Shahabi, Max de Wardener, Simon James, Rutger Hoedemaekers, Toydrum, The Official Body, Benjamin Harrison, Traams, and Clarice Jensen. Thanks to Alex at Fat Cat Records, and Colin at Castles in Space.

Further Reading:

How to connect with Class Divide

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When Brighton made history by giving children on free school meals priority access to secondary schools, it became the first city in England to take such a bold step towards educational equality. But was it enough? In this first episode of a special three-part series, Class Divide explores why true integration of our schools matters - not just for our poorest children, but for everyone.

From Longhill High School's fight against stigma to groundbreaking research on school segregation, we uncover how a city proud of its progressive values faces its biggest test yet.

Through conversations with teachers, researchers and families, we explore what happens when principles meet personal choices, and why creating truly mixed schools could be the key to Brighton's future.

As the city considers its next steps towards educational equality, we ask: can Brighton live up to its reputation as a haven of inclusivity when change affects our own children's education? Join us as we explore how building an education system that works for our poorest children first creates better schools for everyone.

Links & Resources:

Take part in the Council's consultation on school admissions (open until January 31st)

Donate

Link to Episode 1

Organisations Mentioned:

The Crew Club

The Sutton Trust

Durham University Evidence Center for Education

Guests:

Rachelle Otulakowski - Headteacher, Longhill High School

Professor Stephen Gorard - Durham University

Sammy Wright - Headteacher and former Social Mobility Commissioner

Richard Kahlenberg - Education researcher

Charley O'Regan - Senior Schools Engagement Manager, Sutton Trust

Leslie Reeves - Social prescribing health worker and East Brighton Parent

Beth - Whitehawk parent

Dave - Whitehawk parent

Carlie Goldsmith - Class Divide co-founder

Jo Lyons - Assistant Director for Education and Skills, Brighton & Hove City Council

Councillor Jacob Taylor - Deputy Leader of the Council

Credits:

Curtis James - Writer and Producer

Eve Streeter - Executive Producer

Carlie Goldsmith - Editorial Guidance & Class Divide co-founder

Music Credits:

Music in this series was kindly donated by Olivier Alary, Maaja Nuut, Rumm, Neil Hale, Salvatore Mercatante, Polypores, Minor Pieces, Shida Shahabi, Max de Wardener, Simon James, Rutger Hoedemaekers, Toydrum, The Official Body, Benjamin Harrison, Traams, and Clarice Jensen. Thanks to Alex at Fat Cat Records, and Colin at Castles in Space.

Further Reading:

"Exam Nation" by Sammy Wright

How to connect with Class Divide

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In this podcast episode recorded before major parties released their manifestos, Curtis James and Carlie Goldsmith discuss their newly launched manifesto focused on transforming the education system to better support children from low-income families. With the general election approaching, they express concerns over the lack of national discussion on education policies. They highlight the need for comprehensive policy changes and share five key ideas from their manifesto, including prioritising free school meals in admissions, making school transport free, securing pupil premium funds for their intended purpose, increasing working class representation among teachers, and redesigning the education system as a whole. The episode calls for raising awareness and encouraging discussions on education in the run-up to the election.

Introduction to the Podcast

00:28 Launching a New Manifesto

01:00 The State of Education in National Politics

02:09 Addressing Child Poverty and Inequality

03:50 The VAT Debate on Private Schools

04:11 Teachers' Struggles and Welfare Needs

05:33 Five Ideas in the Manifesto

06:12 The Importance of Consistent Leadership in Education

07:01 Historical Context and Current Challenges

08:30 Polling and Public Concerns on Education

09:32 Breaking the Wealth Barrier in Education

The Manifesto ideas

11:55 Free School Meals Priority Policy

17:25 Transport Policy Changes

26:32 Pupil Premium and School Funding

30:48 Increasing Working-Class Representation in Teaching

38:25 Redesigning the Education System

43:38 Call to Action and Conclusion

Links:

Read our manifesto: https://www.classdivide.co.uk/news/introducing-our-new-manifesto

The Sutton Trust: https://www.suttontrust.com/news-opinion/all-news-opinion/fairer-school-admissions-could-you-be-the-change/

Download social media graphics to share: access here

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We're thrilled to unveil some work set to debut at this year's Brighton Festival. Join us in this special episode as host Curtis James sits down with sound artist Simon James – who just so happens to be his twin brother – to delve into the origins of this new work.

Curtis and Simon discuss the genesis of the project, drawing inspiration from a pivotal moment in their lives at the age of 15. Discover the creative process behind Neolithic Cannibals, which will see Simon working with a group of young sound artists from Whitehawk.

Save the date! The exhibition opens its doors this May. To get all the details, head to www.lighthouse.org.uk/

For updates.....

Follow us @divideclass on X

and @divideclass on Instagram

Follow Lighthouse on X

and Lighthouse on Instagram

And subscribe to the Class Divide Newsletter for updates on our campaign.

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Please donate to keep our campaigning going.

On the day The Children, Families & Schools Committee vote on the free school meal school admission proposals, Curtis and Carlie talk about the things that have led up to this day, and we hear the moment the vote happens, as well as thoughts just afterwards.

Thanks to Simon James for recording the committee meeting and post vote interviews.

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In this bonus episode we delve into the critical consultation happening within the council that could reshape the landscape of education in Brighton and Hove. The spotlight is on a proposed change in secondary school admissions that would prioritise free school meal children, aiming to bridge the class divide and create a more socially inclusive education system.

Featuring:

Dr Ellen Greaves

Andy Schofield

Dr Carlie Goldsmith

Rachelle Otulakowski - Longhill Head

Fiona Millar

Cllr David McGregor

Cllr Jacob Taylor

Class Divide was written and produced by Curtis James. The executive producer is Eve Streeter. Location recording, Sound design, post production and mixing is by Curtis James, editorial support by Dr Carlie Goldsmith and research by Dr Sara Bragg.

Music in the series was kindly donated by Salvatore Mercatante, Traams, Shida Shahabi, Max de Wardener, Simon James, Clarice Jensen, Polypores, Toydrum, and Shopping, Olivier Alary, Maaja Nuut, Rumm, Neil Hale, Minor Pieces, Rutger Hoedemaekers Thank you to Fat Cat Records, Castles in Space.

If you'd like to support the Class Divide campaign follow on Twitter and Instagram, or visit the website, classdivide.co.uk

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Welcome to the seventh reaction episode of the Class Divide podcast.

In this episode, Curtis James and Carlie Goldsmith discuss the ideas for the future and the culmination of series 1.

Check out the Class Divide Website for more info about the campaign.

Sign up to the Class Divide newsletter here.

Support this podcast by leaving a rating and review, and please share if you like what we are doing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of the series, we delve into a story that exemplifies the emergence of hope from the darkest of places. We visit the Crew Club, a community centre at the heart of the council estate in Brighton where the murder of a young boy nearly three decades ago inspired something extraordinary—a place of hope. We travel to Finland and Doncaster to hear how education can be different and successful. We advocate for individuals to overcome prejudices, acknowledge privilege, and recognise the collective responsibility of towns and cities to nurture and support young people. Join us as we dare to think bigger and braver.

Featuring:

Gwyn ap Harri from the XP Trust

Darren and Lorraine Snow from the Crew Club

Johanna Jarvinen Taubert from Learning Scoop

Dr Carlie Goldsmith

Fiona Millar

Jack Davies

Class Divide was written and produced by Curtis James. The executive producer is Eve Streeter. Location recording by Simon James. Sound design, post production and mixing is by Curtis James, with editorial support by Carlie Goldsmith.

Music in the series was kindly donated by Salvatore Mercatante, Traams, Shida Shahabi, Max de Wardener, Simon James, Clarice Jensen, Polypores, Toydrum, and Shopping, Olivier Alary, Maaja Nuut, Rumm, Neil Hale, Minor Pieces, Rutger Hoedemaekers Thank you to Fat Cat Records, Castles in Space.

The series was funded by Necessity. If you'd like to support the Class Divide campaign follow on Twitter and Instagram, or visit the website, classdivide.co.uk

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Welcome to the sixth reaction episode of the Class Divide podcast.

In this episode Curtis James and Carlie Goldsmith discuss the issues around catchments and school admissions.

Check out the Class Divide Website for more info about the campaign.

Sign up the Class Divide newsletter here.

Support this podcast by leaving a rating and review, and please share if you like what we are doing.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.