The Centre for Education and Youth announces closure after 15 years

For the past 15 years, The Centre for Education and Youth (CfEY) has been a driving force for change, shining a spotlight on the challenges faced by young people on the margins. As a unique think and action tank, CfEY has bridged the gap between research, policy, and practice, amplifying youth voices and advocating for evidence-based improvements across education and youth sectors.

Through innovative research, influential policy recommendations, and deep collaboration with practitioners, CfEY has shaped national debates and contributed to tangible change. Our work has tackled some of the most pressing issues in education, from the emerging teacher recruitment crisis to the neglect of the SEND system and the need for reform in school accountability frameworks. Reports like ‘Why Teach?’, ‘Levelling Up Tutoring’, and our research with Gypsy, Roma, Traveller young people have set the agenda for policy discussions, while CfEY’s expertise has been sought by government bodies, third-sector organisations, and education leaders alike.

Therefore, it is with great sadness that we announce CfEY is closing on Friday 14 March 2025. Despite our continued commitment to making an impact across the education and youth sectors, the challenging funding climate has made it unsustainable to continue operations.

Founded in 2009 by Loic Menzies as LKMCo, CfEY grew from a grassroots consultancy into a respected national voice in education and youth policy. Our team of former teachers, youth workers, and researchers has consistently brought fresh perspectives to the sector, tackling complex issues with rigour and creativity. We hope that our unique approach – combining research, participatory methods, and sector-wide collaboration – has left a lasting legacy.

Beyond policy influence, CfEY has driven real change on the ground. We have worked closely with schools and third-sector organisations to improve service delivery, developed resources such as SEND training videos for teachers (viewed over 20,000 times), and created programmes like Young Expert Citizens, ensuring young people’s lived experiences shape the policies that affect them. Our book, Young People on the Margins, distills years of research and continues to be a vital resource for those working in education and youth policy.

While this chapter is coming to an end, we are working with partners to transition live projects and ensure a smooth handover of key workstreams. We take immense pride in the impact we have made and the contributions of our staff, board, and supporters over the years, and thank everyone that has been part of this journey over the past 15 years. 

CfEY’s influence will live on through the alumni who continue to shape policy and practice in education, youth work, and research. Many of our reports and thought pieces created over the years will be held by the Institute of Education’s Digital Education Resource Archive. We hope these will be of continuing use to the education and youth sectors. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been part of the CfEY journey; our colleagues, partners, funders, alumni, board members and most importantly the young people and practitioners whose voices have been at the heart of our work. We encourage you to stay connected to one another, continue engaging with our research, and carry forward the mission we have shared: that all young people receive the support they need to make a fulfilling transition to adulthood.