New Co Adventurers learning hub offers fresh hope for young learners in Exeter
Co Adventurers Ltd, a pioneering alternative education provider, has officially opened its new hands-on learning facility in St Thomas. The newly refurbished site is designed to support children at risk of exclusion and aims to provide a dynamic and engaging environment where young people can flourish.
The expansion marks a significant step forward in Co Adventurers’ journey, enabling them to support more students with diverse learning needs. The facility includes purpose-built workshops for carpentry and engineering, as well as flexible learning spaces tailored to individual students.
“We wanted to create a space where children feel safe, inspired and able to explore different ways of learning,” says David Slater, CEO of Co Adventurers. “This new building allows us to expand our provision, offering hands-on education in a structured yet flexible way. Our students might be climbing one day, working with wood the next, and engaging in IT or music sessions later in the week.
It’s all about finding what works best for each individual. We put the learner at the centre – whatever they want to create, we facilitate that learning.”
Co Adventures has been going for five years and has three sites and 15 staff members. Vanessa Briggs, who is the Head of Curriculum and Safeguarding defines the company’s strap line of ‘Adventurous learning together.’
“Many of our students have struggled in mainstream settings, and they need a different approach. Our focus is on building confidence, practical skills and a genuine love for learning. This new space gives us the opportunity to work with them in an environment that suits their needs,” says Vanessa.
“At Co Adventurers, we never give up on a child. We support them from where they are and help them progress at a pace that suits them. We focus on their whole development, not just academics. Parents choose us because we provide a safe, nurturing and flexible learning environment that helps children rebuild confidence and re-engage with education.”
The launch of the new building was celebrated with a MultiMedia Day in St Thomas with filming by Thomas Smith Videography. Tom Smith and Marina O’Shea were on hand to capture some of excitement of the new building and filmed students have a lesson at Exeter Climbing Centre. Plus Dave and Vanessa posed for a photo alongside the newly installed Co Adventurers sign.
In addition to the new St Thomas site, Co Adventurers also operates learning hubs in Exmouth, providing small-group workspaces and a dedicated forest school site at Littleham Primary School, where students engage in outdoor learning and adventure activities. These sites, along with the new facility, offer a diverse range of educational experiences tailored to each child’s needs. Co Adventurers continues to work closely with local authorities, schools, and parents to provide tailored learning opportunities for young people. With this new facility, they move one step closer to their long-term goal of becoming a fully registered independent school.
Co Adventurers is currently working through the registration process with Ofsted to offer full-time education rather than the current 15-hour limit. The goal is to provide more stability for students, ensuring they receive continuous support and education.
Click for more information about Co Adventurers - Adventurous Learning Together
About Co Adventurers: Co Adventurers Ltd is an alternative education provider supporting young people who struggle in mainstream settings. Through hands-on learning and tailored education plans, they empower students to develop confidence and life skills that will help them succeed. The organisation began in Exmouth during the 2020 lockdown, initially providing learning activities and outdoor opportunities for the children of key workers.
About David Slater: Dave is the CEO of Co Adventurers Ltd. With a background in education and extensive experience working with vulnerable children, he is passionate about creating innovative learning environments that inspire young people. He is the author of the children’s book, The Day the Giant came to Forest School.
About Vanessa Briggs: Vanessa is the Curriculum Lead and Safeguarding Lead at Co Adventurers. With over 30 years in education, she is dedicated to supporting children with diverse learning needs and helping them re-engage with their education.
