Every Journey Starts With a First Step

Adventure in Learning was founded in January 2024 by Nick and Chris, who share a passion for supporting young people who have become disengaged from education.

Having previously worked within the SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) sector, we saw first-hand the challenges faced by pupils who struggle in traditional educational settings. We also saw the incredible potential that can be unlocked when young people are given the right support, understanding, and opportunities to succeed.

With this vision in mind, Adventure in Learning was created to provide an alternative approach to education—one that puts relationships, engagement, and individual needs at the heart of learning.

Our journey began with just one pupil. Through hard work, dedication, and a commitment to making a genuine difference, we have gradually grown our provision and expanded the support we offer to schools, local authorities, and families across the region.

We believe that every young person deserves another chance to succeed. Many of the pupils we work with have experienced barriers to learning, difficulties in school, or have become disconnected from education altogether. Our aim is to reignite their confidence, develop their skills, and help them rediscover a love of learning through practical, engaging, and meaningful experiences.

Since opening our doors, we have been incredibly proud of the progress made by the young people we support and the positive impact Adventure in Learning has had on their lives. Every success story, no matter how big or small, reminds us why we started this journey.

As we continue to grow, our mission remains the same: to provide a nurturing, supportive environment where every pupil feels valued, capable, and inspired to achieve their potential. We are proud of what we have achieved so far and are excited to continue making a difference to the lives of young people across the city and beyond.

Our Story

Our Journey So Far

We opened in January 2024 with two pupils. Here is how far we have come — and where we are heading next.

  1. January 2024

    We open our doors at Newburn

    Adventure in Learning Ltd is registered and we open at Newburn Activity Centre, with a climbing wall, woodland, cycle track and sports hall on the doorstep. Learning stops being something that only happens at a desk.

  2. January 2024

    Our first two pupils

    Two young people join us, one of them on a full-time placement. On plenty of days that meant a single pupil in the building — until word started to spread and the referrals began to come.

  3. October 2024

    Primary Provision opens

    We extend the offer to Years 3–6, so younger children get the same calm, relationship-led start.

  4. November 2024

    Our first employee

    Our first employee joins — another adult in the building who knows how to sit with a young person on a hard day.

  5. August 2025

    The Adventure in Learning van

    We buy a van. Transport stops being the reason a young person cannot get to us, and trips, visits and outdoor challenges become part of an ordinary week rather than a special occasion.

  6. Through 2025

    The team grows

    Three more colleagues join across the year, one leading Secondary and one leading Primary. Small groups and high staff ratios stop being an aspiration and become simply how we work.

  7. From September 2026

    We add specialist tuition

    On top of our Primary and Secondary provisions we begin offering specialist tuition and intervention — one to one, small group, online and in the family home, for young people who need support without a full placement.

  8. What’s next

    The road ahead

    More places, more partnerships and more ways to reach the young people who need us — so that every one of them gets the chance to start again.