The Class Divide Podcast
Documenting Change in Brighton & Hove's Education System
Our award-nominated podcast series captures a pivotal moment in Brighton & Hove's educational history. From documenting long-standing inequalities to recording recent victories for change, these episodes tell the story of how our city is working to create a fairer education system.
The series began by following one family from Whitehawk - a daughter and three sons whose stories highlight the profound impact education has on life chances. Through their experiences, and those of many others in East Brighton, we uncover how educational inequality shapes lives in our city.
These episodes provide crucial context for understanding current proposals to change our school admissions system. They chart our journey from identifying problems to creating solutions - including the groundbreaking free school meals policy change in 2024, a national first for Brighton & Hove.
Featuring voices from across our community alongside leading experts, the series explores why educational segregation persists and how we can change it. Our guests include:
Orwell Prize winning writer, rapper and presenter Darren McGarvey
Working class academic and education expert Professor Diane Reay
Education writer Fiona Millar
Teachers, families, and community leaders from across Brighton & Hove
"These stories have been decades in the making," says writer and presenter Curtis James, who grew up in East Brighton. "They're rarely told by people like us, but they're essential for understanding why change is needed. Our recent episodes document how Brighton & Hove is beginning to tackle these challenges, proving that when our city works together, we can create positive change. But there's more to do - it's going to take our whole city to support the education of all its children."
For podcast enquiries, email podcast@classdivide.co.uk