But right now, too many students are disengaging. Persistent absence is rising, more young people are questioning the relevance of school, and the outcomes for those who disconnect are worrying: poorer life chances, greater risk of unemployment, and reduced wellbeing. The human cost is significant – and the financial cost to society is estimated at nearly £12 billion.
East Learning exists to change that story. We help schools act earlier, focus on what matters, and create lasting impact for every student – not just a few.
Student & School Level – Aspirations
Our Aspirations programme gives schools a clear picture of student development needs – from skills and wellbeing to values and aspirations. This data highlights gaps early, so staff can target support where it will make the biggest difference.
Trust Level – Balanced Improvement
At trust level, we provide a structured framework for decision-making. Balanced Improvement helps leaders cut through the noise, focus on priority cohorts, and coordinate improvement efforts across schools. It turns raw data into a practical, evidence-based plan for change.
System Level – Open School
At council and regional level, we support collective action. Through the Open School programme, we help leaders use data and collaboration to design joined-up approaches across schools and services, ensuring the system itself drives better outcomes.
This whole-system approach – from the student, through schools, to the wider system – is what makes East distinctive.
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Our founder, Matthew Lees, grew up in a comprehensive school where opportunities varied widely. Some classmates thrived, while others slipped through the cracks. Support from his parents encouraged him to take part in extracurricular activities – opportunities that helped shape his future. But at university, he saw how many students from similar backgrounds had struggled to catch up, simply because their needs weren’t spotted early enough.
Later, while working in social care, Matt saw again the same pattern: when you act early and structure support around real needs, outcomes improve dramatically.
Schools often know years in advance which students are likely to struggle – but too often lack the support to intervene.
That gap is what East Learning was created to close.
When students disengage, the consequences are stark:
And the cost to society is huge. Persistent school absence already costs more than £1 billion each year. Young people who end up NEET at 16–18 create almost £12 billion in lifetime costs. Every year of delay makes it harder and more expensive to put things right.
By spotting issues earlier and acting differently, we can change the trajectory – for students, schools, and society.
When schools use East’s approach, change is tangible.
What unites these examples is clarity, evidence, and collaboration – turning data into practical steps that make a real difference.
We’ve now worked with over 12,000 students through the Aspirations Programme, supported multiple trusts through Balanced Improvement projects, and are helping shape the future of education through the Open Schools initiative.
Together, these three strands show what East is here to do: