The Founders - Our Story So Far
Educate U West Sussex Ltd was founded in 2019 by two dedicated professionals with a shared vision: to transform educational experiences for young people who feel unable to thrive in traditional settings.
Bringing together decades of expertise, Sue Evans, with over 20 years’ experience in Special Educational Needs education, and Hayley Tucker, with more than 10 years in Children’s Services, recognised a critical gap. Too many young people with Education, Health and Care Plans, particularly those facing high anxiety, school non-attendance, or difficulties engaging in mainstream education, were being left without the tailored support they needed. Educate U was created to change that.
Our Ethos
From the very beginning, we have been driven by a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and best practice.
What started as a small provision has grown into a thriving service supporting over 70 students, with a dedicated team of more than 70 staff. This growth has always been purposeful, guided by listening to the needs of our students and their families and responding with creativity and care.
At the heart of everything we do are our core values: Safety, Trust, Choice, Collaboration, Empowerment. These are not simply words; they shape every interaction, every environment, and every opportunity we create. We understand that without a sense of safety, children and young people cannot fully engage, learn, or flourish. That is why we prioritise a trauma-informed approach, ensuring every student feels secure, understood, and valued.
Our mission is simple yet powerful:
To provide a nurturing, empathetic, and individualised education that enables every young person to rebuild confidence, rediscover a love of learning, and move forward with purpose.
Our Journey
2019 – The Beginning
Our journey began at Chapel Road, opening our doors to 10 students with a small team of 3 staff. From day one, our focus was on personalised, relationship-led education.
2020 – Responding to Need
As demand grew, so did our provision:
- Student numbers increased to 20
- Expansion into the first floor of Chapel Road
We launched Therapy House to address long NHS waiting times. This introduced a holistic offer including Psychotherapy, Counselling, Art Therapy, Mental Health & Wellbeing support, and Yoga & Reflexology.
2021 – Growing Demand
A rapidly increasing waiting list highlighted the urgent need for our approach, and student numbers rose to 30.
2022 – Continued Growth
Student numbers reached 40, reflecting both demand and trust in our provision.
2024 – New Horizons
We launched our 16+ provision, offering pathways in Functional Skills (English, Maths, Digital Skills), Hair & Beauty, Construction, Catering, and Childcare.
We also opened our Liverpool Gardens site, expanding space for specialist services.
2025 – Looking Ahead
Further development at Liverpool Gardens allowed us to grow our school community and extend our reach to even more young people.
2019–2025 – Expanding Opportunities
We continued to evolve our services to meet diverse needs, including:
- Forest School provision in Arundel
- Youth work and ELSA support
- Music & Media programmes
- Speech and Language Therapy (SALT)
- Occupational Therapy
- An in-house exam centre
2026 – A Major Milestone
A landmark year for Educate U as we received Department for Education approval to expand our school capacity from 40 to 110 students.
Every success story matters. Every step forward counts.
What inspires us the most is seeing young people who once struggled now happy, confident, and hopeful, equipped not only with qualifications but with a sense of self-worth and a clear vision for their future.
This transformation is made possible by our unique, individualised approach and the unwavering dedication of our staff team, who work every day to inspire, support, and empower.
Looking Forward
Educate U began with a simple but powerful dream:
To see young people engaged, thriving, and excited about their future.
That dream continues to guide us — every student, every family, every day.
Sue Evans and Hayley Tucker – Proprietors of Educate U
