The Key Stage 3 Alliance is a sector-led improvement network working to strengthen education, engagement and outcomes during the early secondary years.
Key Stage 3 is one of the most consequential phases of a young person’s education. It is the final universal stage before young people begin to follow different pathways. Yet across the country, engagement and belonging often decline between the end of primary school and the end of Year 9, with significant consequences for attendance, attainment and longer-term outcomes.
We believe that much of the expertise needed to improve Key Stage 3 already exists in schools, trusts, communities and research. Through this call for evidence, we want to understand the challenges more precisely; identify practices that are making a difference; learn honestly from approaches that have not worked; and determine where the Alliance should focus its collective effort.
Who do we want to hear from?
We welcome responses from young people, teachers, school and trust leaders, researchers, professional associations, charities, community organisations and others with relevant evidence or experience.
How to respond
You do not need to answer every prompt or provide a formal research submission. We are interested in quantitative evidence, qualitative evidence, research, professional experience and the experiences of young people.
Please submit your response through this survey by 5.00pm on Monday 9 November 2026.
You may respond as an individual or on behalf of an organisation. You may answer all four questions or only those on which you have relevant evidence or experience.
Please indicate whether you are content for:
- your evidence to be quoted publicly
- your name and organisation to be identified
- the Alliance to contact you about your submission or future involvement
We will handle all personal information in accordance with (privacy notice details)