SEN and Alternative learning students reach their full potential at EOB Academy

We know we all have the power to be curious and learn, we just have to respect that some students respond differently to different teaching methods and environments.

At Enemy Of Boredom SEN and Alternative learning students reach their full potential.

Who We Are?

We exist for each student

We say this because each student joins us with their own specific needs to be nurtured. It breaks our heart that a child has had to experience emotions of exclusion, lack of acceptance or indifference within education. We’re here to reverse that. Each student’s happiness, mental well-being, potential and confidence is our priority. We take our role as their educator and supporter very seriously because we know just how fragile their happiness can be. Their time with us helps to shape their development and it also positively impacts students’ social relationships with both friends and family and their pathway…

We work with agility, sensitivity and full communication

We’re progressive, agile in our approach and always communicate openly with parents, SENCOs and local authorities. EOB embraces change because we know it can lead to better, we stand firm on our beliefs and delivery because after 8 years we know it works. We see the negative impact that delays in the current system cause and we achieve the opposite.

We know there’s unity in our team

We are unified in our mission to deliver an inspirational place of learning to SEN students. We rely on each other for support and to ensure that any obstacles are overcome when a student presents a new challenge. We’re positive in our outlook to be able to come together and cater for each student’s needs.

We are creatively tenacious

We use our expertise to show our students how they can bring something to life that they see or hear in their head and make it a tangible product in the world. Using teaching techniques we hone pupils’ creative tenacity to spot opportunities and create a future for themselves where they are fulfilled.

Setting neurodiverse students up for success

environment

We’ve created a learning environment where neurodiverse students flourish and reach their potential. Our environments are designed to be intimate, calm, quiet, with small student numbers to reduce noise and ‘clutter’. They are designed with sensory needs in mind so the colours and lighting are tranquil and soothing. As a basic physiological need, water is important on many levels. We know that dehydration will affect cognitive performances as water accounts for 75% of brain mass. We provide free bottles of water as well as snacks high in carbohydrates to set them off on their daily learning journey.

standards

Whilst we believe in certain standards of behaviour and some common ‘rules’, students are not tied to a behavioural system that will judge or risk creating a downward spiral of perceived negative self-worth. Instead, we operate on a more individual basis. Tutors have a strong, solid relationship with the students built on mutual respect which involves them getting to know the individual and their triggers. This results in the students being supported to identify when a break or change of approach may be needed. We have seen this approach lead to the building of greater self-esteem and confidence, an increased motivation to learn and willingness to focus.

smaller class sizes

With smaller class sizes, relationships are built quickly; students feel closer to their tutor group and have the benefit of a greater staff-to-student ratio to enable them to learn the social skills that are often underdeveloped in young people with additional needs.

decompress

We have designated areas so at any point, if a student is struggling to process or contain their emotions, they know that they have a safe space where they can decompress and recompose themselves. Extra support for tough days is always on hand if needed. Students are encouraged to be themselves and embrace authenticity, without having to conform to an anxiety-creating paradigm. They are supported to make progress at their pace and there is a relaxed vibe designed to maintain their well-being.

Our vision at Enemy of Boredom

Acceptance

SEN and Alternative learning students feel accepted and reach their full potential. We’re a team of like minded educators specialising in the music and gaming industry and the business start-up world who set out with a clear vision to deliver a curriculum using teaching methods that would engage, inspire and ultimately help SEN and Alternative learning students feel accepted and reach their full potential.

Respect for all students

We know we all have the power to be curious and learn, we just have to respect that some students respond differently to different teaching methods and environments. By creating an inclusive learning environment, specifically designed for SEN students, we rebuild their confidence, working with SENCOs to create a pathway back into mainstream education, or preparing the student to graduate and move into work.

Re-energies to Re-engage

We re-energise each student's thirst for life and learning, and we take immense pride in seeing their confidence grow as they start to feel motivated with life and realising their future prospects. All our team members are dedicated to providing a positive experience for each student, their parents, SENCOs and local authorities. We know if we work together we can reverse bad SEN education stories into positives and assist all involved.

The approach

Every single element that makes up our overall approach at Enemy of Boredom is in place for a reason. We did the research back then and created our academy after talking to carers, parents, teachers, SENCOs, local authorities, child psychologists, speech therapists and behavioural problem solvers, all with the single mission of creating education pathways for SEN and alternative education needs students. This did not happen overnight. However, we can look back now at the experience and curriculum that we’ve created and know that we’ve achieved our goal.

Looking ahead, we have two main goals:

1. EOB will continue to expand our offering across more locations to enable our tried and tested curriculum to transform even more SEN students’ lives into ones that heal their mindset, engage and inspire them, and create opportunities within the workplace for them. 2. EOB will relieve the stress of an overwhelmed system and provide more support for SENCOs, parents and local authorities with their delivery.

If you love video game design, music production or learning how to launch a business there is a place for you here.

We challenge students with projects that need to be solved or created. We don’t challenge who they are or why they are the way they are. We accept it, find an appropriate ‘workaround’ and carry on as normal. Daily life at Enemy of Boredom sees everyone immersed in project work, new tech and future prospects so, after a while the ‘primary focus is no longer on their neurodiversity but success in their studies.

Nothing makes the team happier or prouder than seeing a new student attend Enemy of Boredom looking pensive in the morning and by home time, leaving with a grin, their excitement to belong somewhere is real and it makes every second of our jobs worthwhile.

I’ll look forward to welcoming you to Enemy of Boredom”.

Steve Godwin, Creator of the EOB Academy.