HOW SESSIONS ARE APPROACHED

Collaborative, co-creation with all adults and children as equals; shared decision-making, open dialogue, and honouring our own and others needs with regular reflection and adaptation.

  • We model our guiding values in our interactions with our community, always asking 'what do I and others need?'

  • Learning is driven by playful and curious exploration, learners’ interests and real-world relevance.

  • Young people have as much autonomy as they need in shaping their learning.
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  • A flexible range of 'ways in' to the Community to accommodate different needs.
Regular and ad hoc sessions for different levels of engagement within easy reach of Cambridge, with access to outside space which children will be supported to make use for free play and self-regulation. 

Tinker Lab - a stay and play model for 4-8s. Sessions focus on open-ended resources, free-play with learning scaffolded through self-directed play and starting to lay the groundwork for project-based learning. 

Curiosity Hub - around the ages of 8-15 with greater focus on project-based, interest-led exploration with a facilitator providing optional themed mini-projects as stimulus and work on individual or collaborative projects based on interests that emerge from the group.

Deep Dive - age range varies depending on the activity and sometimes we run Deep Dives just for parents! These are topic-specific sessions where young people can come together and go more in-depth from one off workshops and half-termly blocks to one or two-year long GCSE groups that match their interests. They might be a one-off workshops or short courses drawing on interests arising from Tinker Lab, Curiosity Hub or the wider community. We are currently running a Deep Dive English GCSE and 6-week blocks of hands-on science. Examples of recent topics include pottery, debate, stop-animation, first aid and animal behaviour.
We and our carefully vetted and experienced facilitators are constantly learning about what education can look like without the constraints of a rigid curriculum, while still providing opportunities for progression.

Waymakers staff and volunteers are supported by the Directors, Helen and Kristy, a steering group and other parent volunteers and associates.
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timings and cost

Tinker Lab 10-12 on Mondays, Curiosity Hub 10-2 on Tuesdays and Deep Dive sessions on various days, across multiple venues.

Costs from £7/hr at a venue within easy reach of Cambridge.