Tina Whittaker’s article describes how the Science Across the City project, based in Stoke-on-Trent, has created a non-hierarchical community of practice whose agenda has been to close the Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11) attainment gap in science for children in the area. She shares how the project has helped to build a sense of identity, purpose and belonging, alongside identifying a shared direction and set of values.