Schools in inner cities often suffer from social and other disadvantages: the communities living there may, paradoxically, be the poorest and least well served in the city. This project aims to improve schools in such urban areas with new initiatives and new hope for the future. LEADERS (Leaders in Europe aiming to develop evaluation and review in schools) is a Comenius school development project bringing together 3 primary schools in Ireland, UK and Estonia. It aimed to improve many aspects of school life in terms of facilities and curriculum and generally enhance the life of pupils, parents and the wider community around the school. New subjects were introduce to the curriculum – arts, ICT, environmental awareness. Joint initiatives with local museums, historical sites and businesses also took place. All these activities raised the profile of the schools in their local communities and with local and national education authorities.