After the pandemic, Allison became increasingly aware of the gap that had opened up between students who had been privately educated and those in the state sector. Wanting to do something practical and local, she opened Ely Classrooms when premises became available in her village.
At first, Ely Classrooms was a private tuition centre, focused mainly on helping local students prepare for GCSE maths and English. It quickly became clear, however, that some young people needed more than extra tuition. They needed a calm, supportive place where education could be rebuilt around them.
As the need for Alternative Provision became more pressing, Ely Classrooms began to develop in that direction. With an amazing group of specialist tutors already in place, and with the support of the ever popular and gifted therpasit Krystal Sturman, Allison developed a therapy-led package that allowed students to receive both academic and emotional support in one setting.
Ely Classrooms started providing Alternative Provision in 2023. Since then, the work has continued to grow, with an increasing focus on supporting SEND pupils through specialist teaching, training and therapeutic input.
Today, Ely Classrooms is focused on Alternative Provision, Out of School Tuition and Post-16 pathways, while private tuition continues through our sister company, Haddenham Tutors.
As demand grows, we are actively developing the next stage of Ely Classrooms, including new premises and a broader specialist offer for young people who need a smaller, calmer and more personalised route through education.