Welcome to the

GEC Circle

Join the GEC Circle and we can Revolutionise Inclusion Together

Be part of a global network of experts transforming cultures through diversity, inclusion, and well-being.

About GEC Circle

Founded by Nic Ponsford in 2018, the Global Equality Collective (GEC) was created to transform the education sector through intentional inclusion.

From a grass-roots community to a global network of over 400 experts in diversity, inclusion, and well-being.

Our award-winning GEC Platform is used in hundreds of schools across 30 countries, impacting over 223,000 students.

Introducing the Circle

A Collective of Experts with

a Unified Purpose

  • The GEC is now the largest directory of EDI experts in education. Members of the GEC contributed to the creation of our multi-award winning ‘GEC Platform’ and much of the learning material in the GEC Library. Our “world’s first” inclusion and wellbeing platform is now being used in hundreds of state, independent and international schools across 30 countries.

    Following a review of the Collective, which has included formal feedback from new and existing members, we’re reframing and relaunching the Collective with a new name and a new offer.

    The GEC Circle is a distinct collective of experts ready to meet every need and challenge in inclusion and diversity.

  • We deploy the Circle in unique combinations to provide tailored solutions, pairing experienced educators with authors and experts with innovators.

    We’ve created opportunities for members of our community to represent the GEC and share their knowledge and experiences through keynotes and panel discussions at events such as BETT, the Schools and Academies Show and the Festival of Education. They have delivered webinars, contributed to research and articles, helped curate our GEC KnowHow collection of resources, been interviewed for podcasts, and supported schools and organisations with their rollout of the GEC Platform. 

  • This grass-roots community has been growing in scale, reach, influence and ambition and now incorporates over 400 experts working in the fields of inclusion, diversity and well-being.

    Among other things, membership benefits include access to a network of professionals, opportunities to share your knowledge at events, contribute to research, and more.

Join the GEC Circle

Choose your tier >

Free

An equitable membership tier open to all, offering access to essential resources and community support.

Paid

Enhanced visibility and opportunities for those who can invest more, with flexible payment options through our Honesty Box.

What’s the difference between the two tiers?

In the name of inclusion, we want the Circle to be a true reflection of the world we live in. After all, we champion diversity for a living! Therefore, while our review and subsequently updated offer aim to reflect the true value of membership in the Circle, we are committed to offering a free tier. Anyone focused on enhancing diversity and inclusion in education can apply to join the Circle of Friends tier. An equitable membership that won’t cost anything.

For those with the means to invest more directly, you can join the Circle of Influence tier. This will provide additional opportunities to amplify your reach and visibility across our networks and channels, both via digital and real-world engagements. To access this tier we’ve set up a digital Honesty Box so you can pay what you can afford, based on what membership at this level is worth to you.

Why charge at all?

We’re a very small team and while our cultural impact and number of member schools are growing globally, the overheads and demands on our time never stop. Outside of the GEC we’re parents, partners, carers, volunteers, and cheerleaders. So many requests and opportunities come across our desks that just replying can sometimes feel like a full-time job, let alone attending and contributing to them. To be able to say yes to more of these opportunities, and in turn, open doors for members of the Circle, requires additional resources. Those resources, more often than not, require funds.

So, that’s why, after six years of finding, nurturing and amplifying our collective of experts, we want to try to commercialise the offer a little so we can give you the time, opportunities and support you deserve.

What you get when you join the GEC Circle >

Circle of Friends

  • GEC Circle digital badge

    For your socials, website, profiles and in presentations where you are speaking for or with the GEC!

  • GEC Directory listing

    Free listing in the main GEC Directory with a link to your website/LinkedIn/ Social Media/Linktree/ chosen page

  • Our own in-person events

    We are looking to create more opportunities for you to network with one another and our school members by hosting our own online and in-person events.

  • Social media cheerleading

    We will look to amplify your work and your insight as far as we can when you tag us in.

  • New GEC Community Area

    We’re building a new online community area for educators. In partnership with aboveandbeyond.education, founded by Alison Kriel, we aim to launch this in the Autumn of 2024.

  • Amplifying you!

    We are often asked to recommend people, products and services to local authorities, schools and teacher networks. But more recently, we are now being contacted by event and award organisations, the media and press as well. Being in our inner Circle means that we can make the intros so you can make the difference!

  • Inclusion in GEC KnowHow

    As well as having the biggest directory of experts, we also have the biggest directory for bookshelves and playlists! If you are in the GEC and have written a book, speak on a podcast, been in a film or even have an app or game you want in our GEC KnowHow not only will we include you, we will tag in that you are in the Circle and signpost back to your work.

  • GEC Inner Circle Newsletter

    Sent straight to your inbox- with all of our updates and opportunities!

Ready to join the Circle of Friends? It’s FREE!

Circle of Influence

Get everything included within the Circle of Friends plus…

  • Full GEC Directory listing and profile

    Your own live webpage in our NEW searchable GEC Directory of experts - including ‘talent’ tags to make it even easier to showcase your work! This will be personalised to you and be a clear acknowledgement of your expertise to others providing, validation and even support your SEO with a valuable backlink.

  • GEC Pinboard

    For those with products or services for schools and their communities, our Pinboard gives you a place to promote your offer with a discount for our GEC members .

  • GEC Platform Inclusion

    If you want specific materials of yours added to our GEC Library in the platform - now accessible to 220k staff in 30 countries and our 300 schools, you have got it!

  • LinkedIn Testimonial Review

    We’ll help add further standout on your LinkedIn profile by writing a testimonial for your work.

  • Involvement in co-design and QAing surveys in the GEC platform

    We will credit you with this too!

  • NEW GEC Expert Roundtable/ Huddle

    We are looking at ways that we can showcase you and this is a marketing opportunity to pitch, sell and convert our members. We want to design this with you so if you are interested let us know and we will get this started in Autumn 2024.

  • Exclusive Mentoring Session with GEC Founder

    Want more reach + traction + edtech + EDI landscape, networking suggestions etc? We’ll provide you a 20-minute virtual session with Nic to pick her brains on your impact, reach and opportunities with the GEC.

  • Direct networking with Collective

    Looking for collaborators? We can speed up your roadmap and link you in with those we know are your jam and will help supercharge your work!

  • Content marketing and social media amplification

    We will look to create at least one asset with you upfront and share it with our following of 13,000+ This can be across our platforms or focus on one of your choice! This can include but is not limited to:

    • Publishing a blog or thought-piece

    • A module or guide as an addition to the GEC Platform and Library - our online training hub

    • Involvement in a GEC event - panel, webinar etc

    • Sharing one of your events, research or news

Ready to join the Circle of Influence? Pay what you can.

Ready to Join the GEC Circle?

Together we can take the Inclusion Revolution up a notch. We’d be delighted to have you. Just sign up to the tier of your choice below, or reach out to set a time to talk if you’ve got questions.

Hear from those already inside the Circle

“I love being part of the GEC, because I think it's a kind of organisation that is very true to itself, and I think that's what people like about it.”

“I have got my program and all these workshops and everything, but I was working by myself - and I wanted to be part of a team.”

“Because I have confidence in the GEC's ability to look after me. Thank you.”