Q&A with Reach Foundation

What is the Reach Foundation?

At the Reach Foundation, we are working to ensure that all children are able to enjoy lives of choice and opportunity. To make that happen, we believe great schools are necessary but not sufficient on their own to achieve this goal.
Broadly speaking, schools in England do a pretty good job but for many children, particularly those growing up in under-resourced communities, there is still a long way to go. That’s why we support schools and groups of schools to actively reshape their local systems, so they’re better equipped to support children and families in the context of their everyday lives.
We do this in two main ways:
1. Leadership Development – we support aspiring headteachers and trust leaders.
2. Institutional Support – through our Cradle to Career partnership, we support around 70 groups of schools and trusts across the country. These groups are building what we call Cradle to Career models of support for children in their local areas.

Why did you decide to join EdCity?

We initially joined looking for an event space, and we’ve really enjoyed running events here. People love coming to the building – it has a special atmosphere, especially for teachers who are the main group we work with. EdCity is a refreshing change, it offers a welcoming environment: there’s good coffee, lots of natural light and it feels very professional – perfectly set up for the kinds of events we like to run.
At first, we used the space just for events but we’ve found that every time we come, we end up bumping into someone unexpectedly. I genuinely think that every time I’ve visited, I’ve seen someone I wasn’t expecting – whether they’re attending a different event, working in the building or just there for a meeting. That sense of opportunity to connect with people is really powerful.
When you’re working with lots of different organisations, there aren’t many places where those chance encounters happen. You might go to drinks or conferences but those are designed for networking. At EdCity, it feels genuinely serendipitous when you run into people, and that’s something special.
Another thing we now keep in mind when planning events is the civic role of schools and trusts which is a big part of our work. EdCity is a powerful example of that civic role in action. We always try to choose venues that carry meaning, and when we’re discussing the civic impact of education EdCity resonates deeply. It’s a space that embodies the values we’re trying to promote.

How does EdCity compare to other event spaces/offices you have used?

I think it’s that combination – EdCity feels like a fully modern, well-run event space while also being a powerful example of what trusts can achieve as civic actors. That dual role is really compelling.
It’s also a really good example of something we at the Reach Foundation believe is essential: the need for a wide range of stakeholders to be engaged in education and in shaping the lives of children and young people. We like to think big – it’s not just about having teachers engage but also having people who think about urban planning, youth services and all the other elements that make up EdCity.
So, for us, EdCity isn’t just a venue – it’s a meaningful example of collaboration and civic purpose in education.