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 (SEN) 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 (EHCPs)—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, Educate U has 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 50 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.

The Journey So Far

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
• Launch of our Therapy Centre, addressing long NHS waiting times

This introduced a holistic offer including:

• Psychotherapy
• Counselling
• Art Therapy
• Mental Health & Wellbeing support
• Yoga and reflexology

2021 – Growing Demand

A rapidly increasing waiting list highlighted the urgent need for our approach, and student numbers rose to 30.

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

2022 – Continued Growth

Student numbers reached 40, reflecting both demand and trust in our provision.

2024 – New Horizons

Launch of our 16+ provision, offering pathways in:

• Functional Skills (English, Maths, Digital Skills)
• Hair & Beauty
• Construction
• Catering
• Childcare

Opening of our Liverpool Gardens site, expanding space for specialist services

2025 – Looking Ahead

Further development at Liverpool Gardens allows us to grow our school community and extend our reach to even more young people.

Our Impact

Sue and Hayley remain incredibly proud of what Educate U has become—but most importantly, of the young people at its heart.

Every success story matters. Every step forward counts

What inspires us 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.