No Other – The Third in a Trilogy of Change

“Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance…”

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

10th December 1948, Paris

In 2018, we published The Working Class: Poverty, education and alternative voices.

‘Passionate, lyrical and compelling’ - Professor Diana Reay

It brought together 48 different voices to change the narrative around working with young people and families from poorer socio-economic backgrounds.

Then, in 2023, we published Square Pegs: Inclusivity, compassion and fitting in. A guide for schools.

‘Reading this book is both heart-wrenching and uplifting … but uplifting wins’ – Mick Waters

It brought together 57 different voices to change the way schools can support young people and families who, for many reasons, were being let down by an inflexible education system.

These two important game-changing and best-selling books leave space for a third, to complete a unique trilogy.

This is No Other: Creating schools where everyone belongs.

And this is your chance to be part of it.

If you have something to share about your experience – personally or professionally – of what schools can do to create a culture in which everyone can thrive, regardless of (to quote the United Declaration of Human Rights again):

‘…race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status…’

now is your opportunity.

As with The Working Class and Square Pegs, the book will be compiled and edited by award-winning writer and the founder of Independent Thinking, Ian Gilbert, and published by the Independent Thinking Press.

The first stage is this one – an open call for outline contributions.

Short chapters, longer ones, practical ones, academic ones, letters and even poetry – all possibilities will be considered to create a unique, creative, moving and valuable book that can help schools do all they can to be establishments where everyone feels welcome, where everyone feels they belong, where there is ‘no other’.

In the first instance, drop Ian a line at ian@independentthinking.co.uk with a few paragraphs explaining who you are and what your contribution would be.

The deadline for such declarations of interest is Sunday 13th July 2025.

At slippery times such as these, where human rights are being undermined and diversity and inclusion structures around the world are being actively dismantled, schools can lead the fight back.

Your voice and experience can play a part.

We look forward to hearing from you. [ITL]