High‑quality, research‑informed CPD for every educator, in every setting.
Welcome to Education in First Gear Ltd. I’m Bekah, and I founded this non‑profit CPD, coaching and research hub to make high‑quality, research‑informed professional learning accessible to every educator, in every setting. My model brings together multiple modes and modals of educational development in a way that is practical, inclusive and rooted in real community benefit. It’s grounded in the idea that research and practice should shape one another, creating a genuinely reciprocal cycle.
Whether you’re in an alternative provision, nursery, forest school, mainstream school or academy, home education or community provision, you belong in this community, and I can’t wait to work with and learn from you.
Education in First Gear Ltd is underpinned by our Community Interest Company foundations: eight interconnected gears that keep our work moving with purpose, transparency and integrity.
Together, these foundations show how we operate as a non-profit organisation, create public benefit, serve educators and communities, build partnerships, measure impact, reinvest resources and sustain long-term change.
Each gear plays a distinct role in our model, while remaining connected to the others.
Public Benefit
Our work exists to widen access to high‑quality professional learning across all education settings. Every activity is designed to create public benefit, not private gain.
Practice
We deliver CPD, coaching, training, toolkits and close‑to‑practice research that directly support educators, settings and communities. These activities form the practical engine of our Community Interest Company vision.
People
Our beneficiaries include alternative provisions, nurseries, forest schools, schools, academies, home educators and community groups. We work with educators, leaders, families and local partners to ensure our support reaches those who need it most.
Partnerships
We collaborate with associates, settings, universities and community organisations to build capacity and share expertise. Partnership is how we scale impact and keep learning rooted in real practice.
Impact
As a Community Interest Company, we report annually on our community benefit, outcomes and reinvestment. This transparency shows how our work improves practice, strengthens settings and supports educators across the sector.
Sustainability
All assets are protected by an asset lock, and any surplus is reinvested into subsidised CPD, free resources and community projects. This ensures long‑term stability and fairness.
Growth
Our growth focuses on expanding access, strengthening partnerships and increasing the availability of subsidised or free CPD. Every step is guided by long‑term community benefit, not commercial gain.
Innovation
We explore new ideas, test emerging practices and co‑design solutions with educators and communities. Innovation keeps our work responsive, creative and future‑focused, ensuring we continually adapt to the needs of the sector and the people we serve.
Professional learning that strengthens practice across all educational settings
