Always on
This project successfully funded on 5th December 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
This project successfully funded on 5th December 2025, you can still support them with a donation.
A radically different school, where children love to be. Supporting learners to connect with their peers and follow their own interests.
Our Team
I'm a qualified solicitor, entrepreneur, life coach, former school governor and home education hub founder, as well as being mother to 7yr old identical twins.
Having discovered an unquenchable thirst for learning about intrinsic motivation and what environment is optimal for the people we want our children to become, I've been working for 4 years to clarify the vision and secure a home for our school.
I'm supported by several education professionals, including Education PhD holders, former head-teachers, play and art therapists, and former teachers in bringing this vision to life.
Our Vision
Our vision is creating a place where children actually WANT to be. So that children are disappointed if there is a 'snow day' and actively look forward to their Monday mornings - setting the tone for a life pursuing their passions willingly, not living for the weekend.
A place for connection where harmonious relationships are the norm and children are empowered (using nonviolent communication ("NVC") techniques, a method developed by Marshall Rosenberg and put to use in war-zones globally) to express their feelings and needs in a healthy way, as well as learning to empathise with others and work creatively for solutions. The sense of belonging and safety this brings helps to create a strong foundation for children to explore the world around them. These skills will also improve relationships at home, as well as supporting ease of connection throughout their lives.
In a respectful environment like this, there is no hierarchical 'power-over' dynamic - everyone is referred to by first names, wears what they feel comfortable in, engages with whatever projects interest them (or designs their own, with support from our facilitator team).
As a result, children will have highly developed creative skills and a flourishing intrinsic motivation to explore what excites them (no more "I'm bored!" when they're at home)!
We will be a smart-phone-free school, to safeguard the children and ensure that they get the most out of their days with us, but we'll ensure the children are not deprived of opportunities to engage with and learn about technology (in its various forms), in line with their interests.
Who, What, and When?
Based in Ivinghoe, on the borders of Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, learners will range in age from 7 to 13 years, and be supported to take ownership of their own learning in line with evidence-based approaches to nourish intrinsic motivation, which in turn is aligned with deeper learning and retention of knowledge and skills.
We'll accept children on a full-time, flexi-school and home educated basis (the latter two, for either four days, or for one or two days a week).
We'll be open for 45 weeks of the year, to better fit with the commitments of working parents and to avoid the disruption of long breaks from routine, and parents needing to identify holiday clubs.
This also gives families the opportunity to take additional holidays outside of normal 'school holidays', whether or not the school is open, to allow families to enjoy a broader range of travel options due to the reduced prices, as well as having more peaceful destinations!
We are targeting to open our doors full-time in September 2026, and hoping to begin part-time operations from the Spring/Summer of 2026.
The environment we create will be well-suited to children unable to thrive in school, whether because they are over-whelmed by the sensory environment, struggling with self-esteem, or need more autonomy over their day, perhaps with fewer difficult transitions.
A number of people have asked if we might accept older children - provided parents are not expecting that their 14 year olds to be working towards examinations with us, we could consider their inclusion.
A typical day
Each day will start with something to help the children 'land' whether mindfulness, stories, movement, dance, music, meditation, yoga, sound, or something even better that the children design themselves.
After this there will be a circle to discuss new proposals for how the school will operate - everyone in the circle holds the right to veto. (It's called a 'sociocratic model', for those interested in learning more)
During the morning the team of facilitators will support project-based learning, and self-directed learning, always keeping an eye on the energy/mood of the group to respond with suggestions that might help support them to thrive.
The curriculum of projects will span literacy, numeracy, science, art and the safe use of technology, philosophy, wellbeing, entrepreneurialism and financial literacy, with inspiring questions and premises to explore along the way.
Most days children will have packed lunches, which they are welcome to access whenever they are hungry through the day (it shouldn't be radical to eat when they're hungry: but it is!).
Afternoons will largely be for the learners to choose how they spend their time - whether through play, continuing their projects, creative endeavours, or discussions/debates, or requesting particular support from the facilitator team.
At the end of the day we'll spend time reflecting on learns from the day, setting goals for the next day, and preparing the group for a smooth transition home.
Children as leaders in their own learning journey
Children will have the freedom to choose how the school 'learning' budget is spent on a weekly/monthly basis.
In time we envisage that the school community may identify experts to support their mastery of particular skills or knowledge - when that occurs they'll have the opportunity to be involved in the whole process from writing adverts, to interviewing and hiring their preferred tutors.
We'll also never 'force' learning on anyone who isn't interested in a particular project (nor do we believe it's possible to do such a thing!). In the event that the team notice any 'gaps' emerging in learning (as a result of current lack of interest), we'll engage with parents and learners to agree a way forward that all are comfortable with.
When?
We are targeting to open our doors full-time from September 2026, with the possibility of opening part-time in the spring/summer of 2026 (subject to government legislation which may be introduced that might restrict our ability to do so - see the Childrens Wellbeing and Schools Bill).
What is the money for?
We've run the figures and, once opened, the school is able to be completely self-sustaining from parents' fees.
We do, however, need money for some renovation works in the Old School building that will be our home, and some minor works at the nature-rich site we'll attend once a week, in order to bring them in line with current Ofsted and fire safety measures. In addition, we need just under £3,000 to pay the fees that Ofsted require for visiting our setting to approve our opening, and for the consultants fees around fire safety.
Any money above this amount will be used to support facilities for the learning community at the school, investing in a comfortable, trauma-informed 'classroom' setting. This in turn, will reduce the level of fees that we'll be able to offer parents, and support the offering of subsidised and bursary places.
Social Media
You can find us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/cultivate-learning-ltd
And me personally at https://www.linkedin.com/in/daisyfretwell/
And you can subscribe for updates and apply to join our waiting list at https://cultivatelearning.org.uk/apply
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made