What is Citizens?
Citizens is an education platform designed to recognise, develop, and celebrate the potential of every student. Our approach goes beyond grades, giving young people the tools to showcase their skills, character, and social contribution.
Our Mission
We believe actions speak louder than grades. Citizens exists to:
Measure and value skills, creativity, and service as much as academic results.
Help students build profiles that highlight their whole selves, not just exam scores.
Support schools and teachers in nurturing confident, responsible, and future-ready citizens.
Founded on Research
Developed from PhD research in Global Citizenship Education and Youth Skills at UCL’s Institute of Education.
Co-designed with students and educators worldwide.
Backed by Innovate UK and B Corp pending, ensuring strong social and environmental standards.
Leadership & Patronage
Founder & CEO: Dr Matt Hayes, an experienced edtech leader passionate about youth development - his PhD research is the basis for Citizens.
Honorary Patron: Sir Anthony Seldon, leading educationalist and advocate for redefining success in education.
Why It Matters
Traditional education often focuses narrowly on exams. Citizens changes this by:
Recognising contributions inside and outside the classroom.
Empowering students to show their individuality and impact.
Preparing young people for global challenges like climate change, AI, and inequality.
✨ Every citizen has the potential to improve the world. Citizens is here to help them prove it.✨
💬 Help us make the Citizens app better
What do you like about the app? What’s confusing? Is there anything missing? What do you think we should build next? Citizens was built for you - and your feedback helps us shape what comes next. We want you to absolutely love it!
👉 Email your feedback to: [email protected]
Fancy some merch for your efforts?
Add our slogan 'Actions Speak Louder Than Grades' to your email and the best feedback wins a free Citizens hoody on us!
