Emberfield Growth: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emberfield Growth a school?

No. Emberfield Growth is a private mentoring and tuition practice, not a school. In the UK, parents have the legal right to educate their children otherwise than at school. I support home-educating families by providing specialist academic instruction and whole-person mentoring. While I provide a structured day and curriculum support, parents retain full legal responsibility for their child's education. I do not operate within mainstream inspection structures or replicate school systems.

Who is Emberfield Growth for?

I work with young people aged 9–16 who find that mainstream environments are a poor fit for their nervous systems. My space is designed for creative thinkers, deep feelers, and neurodivergent learners who want to engage with learning and work toward recognised qualifications in an unhurried, high-ratio environment.

Who is it not suitable for?

Emberfield Growth may not be the right fit if a family is looking for a school replacement with institutional rules and large social groups, frequent testing or a performance-driven culture, a setting that can be reshaped around individual demands, or a last-resort or crisis-containment provision for learners in active behavioural crisis.

Fit is an act of care. I am looking for families whose values align with a slow, relational, and nature-integrated approach.

How do admissions work?

Admissions are relationship-led. Because I only have four seats at my table, the relational match is vital. I meet with each family and young person individually to explore readiness and mutual fit. This ensures that the group remains a safe, regulated, and nourishing environment for everyone, including my own family.

Why are places so limited?

I have intentionally limited my practice to a Founding Four — four external learners. Small group size is not about exclusivity. It is about psychological safety. A 1:4 ratio allows me to maintain a calm, predictable rhythm, offer deep and consistent mentoring, and achieve in two hours of focused learning what a school struggles to do in six.

Do you support neurodivergent learners?

Yes. I have designed Emberfield Growth with neurodivergent nervous systems in mind. Difference is understood and supported, not fixed. My environment prioritises emotional safety, regulation, and flexibility, allowing learners to re-engage with academics at their own pace.

Do learners need an EHCP to attend?

No. Learners do not need an EHCP to attend Emberfield Growth. Many families come to us as private fee-paying families navigating elective home education, and EHCP status is not a requirement or a barrier.

Where a learner does hold an EHCP, I read it carefully and use it to inform my approach. I am currently in the process of becoming a registered Alternative Provision on the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service Directory, which will enable me to accept EOTAS commissioning from Local Authorities for learners whose EHCP specifies education otherwise than at school. Until that registration is confirmed, all placements are funded privately. If you are navigating an EHCP and exploring EOTAS options, please get in touch. I am happy to have that conversation.

Can Emberfield be named in my child's EHCP?

I am currently pursuing registration as an Alternative Provision on the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service Directory. Once registered, Emberfield can be named within Section F of an EHCP as the provider of a young person's EOTAS package. If you are in the process of an annual review or requesting an EOTAS package, please contact me directly so we can discuss timelines and suitability.

Do you offer short-term or emergency placements?

No. To protect the psychological safety and social regulation of the Founding Four community, I only accept long-term placements with a minimum commitment of one full academic year. I do not offer Section 19 emergency cover, six-week reintegration sessions, or interim respite placements. This is not inflexibility. It is the design. The model only works when every member of the group has genuine security of tenure.

What is the process for LA-funded placements?

Once registered on the Bucks FIS Directory, commissioned placements will operate under a formal Service Level Agreement at a day rate of £150 per learner. The Local Authority or commissioning body will receive termly Impact Reports mapped to Section F of the EHCP, providing a professional evidence base for annual reviews. If you are a SEND officer or educational psychologist exploring Emberfield for a specific young person, please contact me directly to discuss the referral process.

Is this a therapeutic or alternative provision?

Emberfield Growth is not a therapeutic setting and does not offer clinical or medical interventions. My approach is relational, humane, and grounded in everyday practices that support regulation and confidence.

In terms of educational classification, I am in the process of registering as an Alternative Provision on the Buckinghamshire Family Information Service Directory. This will enable me to offer long-term EOTAS placements for young people whose EHCPs specify education otherwise than at school. I do not offer Section 19 emergency or short-term interim cover. All placements are long-term, minimum one academic year, to protect the cohort community and the young person's sense of safety and belonging.

What qualifications do learners work towards?

I provide a clear academic pathway centred on Cambridge IGCSEs: English Language and Literature, Core Mathematics, Combined Science, Humanities (History or Geography), and Global Perspectives. Alongside these, I integrate ASDAN Life Skills and CoPE (Certificate of Personal Effectiveness) to build real-world independence.

How do exams work?

As I am a private mentor, parents retain legal responsibility for exam entry. I provide the teaching, preparation, and guidance, while families book exams privately with approved exam centres. This is a well-established model within the home-education community, and I support families through the logistics.

What does a typical day look like?

My days run from 9:00 to 2:45 and follow a rhythmic flow. 9:00 is arrival, soft start, tea, and sensory grounding. 9:30 is focused academic mentoring. 12:00 is communal lunch and woodland exploration. 13:00 is whole-person growth through art, Neurodance, woodwork, or drama. 14:00 is life skills and ASDAN portfolio work. 14:45 is departure.

Is Emberfield Growth phone-free?

Yes. I believe protecting a young person's attention and nervous system is essential. We are a phone-free environment. Technology is used intentionally as a tool for research or creation, not as a constant distraction.

What are the fees?

The investment is £15,000 per learner per year. This reflects the specialist 1:4 ratio, the high-level academic and life-skills delivery, and the dedicated use of my home and woodland facilities.

Where are you located?

I am based in Buckinghamshire, UK, on the Bucks and Beds border approximately ten minutes from Leighton Buzzard and fifteen minutes from Aylesbury. I share my exact location with families once we have connected and explored a potential fit.

Do you offer support for parents?

Yes. As The Mumming Around Coach, I provide dedicated Parent Consultancy and Listening Sessions. If you are not currently looking for a learner placement but need help navigating the education system, researching pathways, processing the weight of the SEND journey, or finding your own clarity, please get in touch.