A safe place to belong, learn and grow.
The Cove is a calm, inclusive learning space where children can feel safe, understood and confident to be themselves.Through personalised learning in small groups, we build confidence, nurture curiosity and help every child make progress in a way that works for them.
A different kind of learning space
At The Cove, learning begins with feeling safe, understood and valued. We take time to get to know each child - their strengths, interests, needs and the things that can make learning feel difficult.Rather than expecting children to fit around the teaching, we adapt learning to fit the child. With small groups, a calm environment and plenty of individual attention, children have space to build confidence, explore their curiosity and experience success.Because progress isn't only about what a child can do. It's also about how they feel about themselves as a learner.
What we offer
Who is The Cove for?
The Cove is for children and young people who would benefit from a smaller, calmer and more personalised approach to learning.
We support children across KS1, KS2 and early KS3, including those who:- Need some extra support to strengthen their learning- Have lost confidence or feel anxious about getting things wrong- Are neurodivergent or have additional learning needs
find busy or traditional learning environments challenging- Learn best when their interests and individual strengths are recognised
simply thrive with more time, flexibility and individual attention- No diagnosis is needed. Every child starts with a getting-to-know-you session so we can understand them as an individual and decide together whether The Cove feels like the right fit for them.
Learning at The Cove
Learning at The Cove is personalised, flexible and responsive. Sessions are planned around each child’s starting point, interests and individual goals, while leaving space to follow curiosity and respond to what they need that day.Children can receive support with English, maths and wider learning skills, alongside developing confidence, independence and a more positive relationship with learning.Small groups allow children to learn alongside others without getting lost in the crowd, with plenty of individual support, encouragement and opportunities for success.
Getting started
Every child begins with a Getting to Know You session. This gives them time to explore The Cove, meet me and become familiar with the space without the expectation of immediately joining a full session.For children who need more time to feel comfortable in a new environment, a Supported Start can be arranged, gradually building towards a full session at a pace that feels manageable.
Meet Claire
Hi, I’m Claire, founder of The Cove.
I’m a qualified teacher and counsellor, with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology and many years of experience working with children and families.
I created The Cove because I wanted learning support to feel different: less pressure, more understanding, and space for children to be themselves.My approach brings together my experience in education, psychology and counselling, with a particular understanding of neurodiversity and the many different reasons a child may find learning difficult.At The Cove, I want every child to know that they don't have to earn their place by performing or getting things right. They are valued first; learning grows from there.Qualifications
BSc (Hons) Psychology • PGCE Primary Education • Diploma in CounsellingExperience
I have over 15 years of experience working with children in education: as an experienced classroom teacher, subject leader part of senior management; and through individual and small-group tutoring.I have supported children with a wide range of learning, emotional and additional needs, adapting my approach to help children feel understood, build confidence and make progress from their own starting points.My experience includes 1:1 and group tutoring from primary age through to Year 9, alongside over 100 hours of counselling work with children and young people. This has given me a strong understanding of the relationship between emotional wellbeing, confidence and learning.
I have a particular interest in neurodiversity, anxiety and barriers to learning, including supporting children who may not thrive with more traditional approaches to education.
A calm space to learn
The Cove is based at The Printworks in Papworth Everard and has been thoughtfully created to feel welcoming, calm and comfortable.It’s intentionally different from a traditional classroom; a small, low-pressure space where children can settle, connect and learn without feeling overwhelmed.There are opportunities to work together, work independently, get creative, move, talk and take a break when needed. How we use the space can change depending on the children in it.
Sessions & Fees
Small-group sessionsSmall groups of up to 4 children, allowing children to benefit from learning alongside others while still receiving plenty of individual support.Monday & Thursday
3:45–4:45pm
5:00–6:00pm£33 per one-hour session
Founding Families rate: £30 per sessionSessions are invoiced half-termly.Getting to Know You
Before joining a group, children are invited to a Getting to Know You session. This is a relaxed opportunity to meet, explore the space and begin to work out what will help them feel comfortable and get the most from The Cove.Supported Start
Some children need longer to become comfortable with a new person, place or routine. A Supported Start allows us to begin with shorter sessions and gradually build towards the full hour, without rushing the process.Home visits
For some children, meeting somewhere new can feel like a big first step. Home visits are available where a child would benefit from meeting me in a familiar environment before coming to The Cove.This can be particularly helpful for children experiencing anxiety, EBSA or difficulty with transitions and unfamiliar places. There is no expectation for a child to engage in a particular way - the aim is simply to begin building familiarity, trust and a sense of safety at their pace.Home visits can also form part of a Supported Start, with the longer-term aim of helping the child gradually feel comfortable accessing sessions at The Cove.Home visits from £20Available within the local area.
Travel charges may apply depending on distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do you work with?
The Cove supports children across primary school and into early secondary, with learning tailored to each child’s age, stage and needs.What do children work on?
Sessions can support English, maths and wider learning skills, but they are not one-size-fits-all lessons. Activities are shaped around each child’s starting point, interests and areas where they would benefit from support.How big are the groups?
Groups are intentionally small, with up to four children, so there is plenty of individual attention alongside the benefits of learning with others.What if my child is anxious about attending?
That’s okay. There is no expectation that a child should immediately manage a full group session. A Getting to Know You session, home visit or Supported Start can be used to help them become familiar with me and The Cove gradually.Can you support neurodivergent children?
Yes. The Cove is neurodiversity-informed and designed to accommodate different ways of communicating, regulating, engaging and learning.Does my child need a diagnosis?
No. Children do not need a diagnosis to attend The Cove. Support is based on the individual child, rather than a label.Where is The Cove?
The Cove is based at The Printworks, Letterpress Lane, Papworth Everard, Cambridgeshire, CB23 3AY.
in a small, calm learning space.
Get In Touch
Interested in The Cove?
If you’d like to find out whether The Cove could be a good fit for your child, I’d love to hear from you.There’s no need to know exactly what support your child needs before getting in touch. Tell me a little about them, what’s working well and where things are feeling more difficult, and we can take it from there.