The Academy of Play
Creating Experiential Learning Experiences for Young People
We believe that creating more autonomy for youth is one of the most important avenues for change in the world
From academics to life skills, our programmes combine mentoring, online learning, and residential experiences so your teen can thrive, no matter their education style.
Build confidence and independence through tailored support.
Connect with peers, mentors, and projects that inspire growth.
Gain practical skills, motivation, and clarity for the future.
Helping uncover and tap into desire so as to create the skills to act agentically in the world.
Working collaboratively to make change possible. Inspiring youth to be active forces for good in their communities.
Everything we do is neurodiversity aware and affirming.
Action Learning Set
A free six month pilot project
We are offering an intimate intention-reflection space for teenagers who want to reflect on their learning, set goals, explore challenges, and grow together. Each week, participants meet in a guided group to think deeply, ask questions, and support one another in making progress on personal projects and goals.
This is offered on a first come first serve basis. You can read more about the pilot project here.
Creating Community Changemakers
Creating Community Changemakers is dedicated to helping teens develop confidence, independence, and real-world skills.
We provide teens personalised mentoring, hands-on projects, or experiences that allow them to apply their skills in meaningful ways.
Through a blend of in-person residential weekends and online mentoring, we help teens:
Set and achieve personal goals through individual projects
Apply their skills for positive impact in local communities with small-scale projects
Collaborate creatively with peers on shared projects that inspire confidence and teamwork
This approach equips teens with practical skills, personal agency, and a sense of purpose — no matter whether they are in school, learning at home, or somewhere in between.
One-on-one Teen Mentoring
I have years of experience working with teenagers on a bespoke, holistic goal setting programme. I am bringing that to you wherever you are online.
Whether you are highly self-motivated and need an accountability partner who can mentor and guide you whilst pushing you towards your goals, or you haven’t got any goals just yet but have the desire to work with someone who can help you form them, this is for you.
We cater to anyone, of any age, on any part of their learning journey. We offer this on a sliding scale to remain accessible to all, so please feel free to read more and find out if one-on-one mentoring would work for you.
Online Maths Tuition
I am secondary school qualified mathematics teacher who has years of experience of teaching maths to young people in self-directed settings, and have considerable experience working with neurodivergent young people and am trauma-informed.
If you are looking for someone with experience of maths teaching, how self-directed learners approach learning maths, but also experience working with neurodivergent or recent school leavers then please feel free to reach out.
I give a discounted rate if you combine one-on-one self-directed mentoring with maths tutoring. Find about our maths philosophy here and the sliding scale pricing structure for combining maths and mentoring here.
Recommendations
“Tim has an immense capacity for playfulness balanced by willingness and skill to deep dive on any topic, from systems for playfulness to football skills to - when requested to deliver in the style of a secondary school teacher - the history of the Mongolian Empire!”
Bess - Facilitator at The Garden
“A wellspring of ingenuity, self-determined thinking, innovative experimentation and wonderful humour, Tim facilitates joyful learning spaces where everyone is encouraged and stretched. Tim has a particularly wonderful knack for supporting excellent critical thinking capacities amongst young people while maintaining light-hearted hilarity as the cohesive community force.”
Caitlin - Co-founder and facilitator at Maverick Learning Community
“Tim has been supportive of T. since he first met him nearly 4 years ago. Tim's attention to his educational and emotional needs has always been first class and has made himself available whenever he has asked for help or needed a listening ear.”
Eli -parent of a young person at The Garden
“Tim makes you feel actually supported and listened to. He has brought joy into my education.”
T. - 15 year old student
“Tim is supportive, encouraging and kind. I always felt that he wanted to help me fulfill my potential”
L. - 14 year old student
“Tim always had his interests at heart through some tricky times. He understood his strengths and helped him focus on these.”
Susy - parent of a young person at The Garden
Get to know us
Contact Us
If you are interested in our Creating Community Changemakers project we are happy to talk you through what we offer and determine if it would be the right fit for your family.
However, we are also happy to work with young people on a one-to-one basis using our methodology.
If your young person is too young for our project, or would prefer one-to-one sessions rather than group collaboration and feedback on their goals we are happy to provide learning mentorship individually as well. Please feel free to reach out to us to discuss how we can help your learner work towards their goals.