the phoenix project

A consent-based, self-directed home education community near Liss, Hampshire, where children are free to play, learn, create, explore and grow freely.

 

 

COME & SAY HIGALLERY

About Us

The Phoenix Project is a consent-based, self-directed setting for children aged 6+ who are in full-time home education.

We run during term time on Thursdays and Fridays from 10.30am-3.30pm. Children can do one or both days and parents can drop-off or stay.

Parents remain responsible for their children’s education, but our sessions form a meaningful part of each child’s week.

We have four skilled facilitators, one with Forest School Level 3 training, who work as a team to support the children to get the most out of their time with us.

Sessions are child-led, with plenty of options for exploration and creative inquiry. There is no prescribed curriculum, and we are not teaching in order to show progression; each child learns and progresses at their own pace, getting what they need to out of every experience and learning what’s meaningful to them.

Children can spend their time doing art, reading, delving into short and long-term projects of their own devising or with inspiration from our facilitators, building, experimenting, tree-climbing, exploring, connecting with and learning about nature, learning bushcraft skills, cooking, baking and endless open-ended play.

We hold a circle each morning for connection and planning; the children know that they are valued and each have a voice and a say about what happens in their project. We use a consent-based approach to problem solving and decision making and we use nonviolent communication in supporting young people in their own conflict resolution.

Young people at The Phoenix Project are valued and accepted unconditionally, just the way they are. They are supported to explore and grow in their own unique way. There are no expectations or demands placed upon them (though there are necessarily boundaries to keep them and others safe physically and emotionally safe).

Our young people thrive – without judgement, comparison or harmful and counter-productive rewards and punishments. They are trusted (and supported) to each get what they need out of their day. They appreciate the flow of the day, which is familiar and predictable, but also the ability to choose how they spend their time. They have genuine choice and freedom, whilst being held in a safe, boundaried space. We strive to achieve a careful balance between paying close attention to each person so that we understand them and can deepen our relationship with them (engendering trust and respect) and stepping back and allowing the magic to happen.

We are currently based in a village hall near Liss (GU33), where we have lots of space, views over the cricket ground and fields behind and also a catering-standard kitchen for cooking/baking. It’s a very peaceful location and we are surrounded by beautiful countryside so we can make use of the grounds (including a small playground) and nearby woodland.

Our longer-term plan is to secure some land or premises we can call our own. With more space, we will then be able to expand the project and offer more varied opportunities to the young people who attend.

If you feel inspired to make a donation to The Phoenix Project, or you have/know of some land or facilities in the area, please do get in touch.

Please email emily.davies@thephoenixproject.uk directly if you have any questions, or if you would like to arrange an initial phone call to chat about the project with a view to coming for a free trial half-day session if we sound like a good fit for your family 🧡

Recommended reading:

Changing Our Minds – Naomi Fisher
Free to Learn – Peter Gray
How Children Learn – John Holt

 

OUR 3-TIER FEE STRUCTURE:

Tier A – Supportive
You can self-select any amount greater than the standard fee. If you chose to pay 50% over the standard fee (£73.50/£70.50), you would be sponsoring a full bursary place for someone in Tier C (see below), but any amount greater than the standard fee of £47/£49 would be supportive – every extra pound makes a difference.

Tier B – Standard

£49 per child per day based on attendance one day per week
£47 per child per day based on attendance two days per week
If you have more than one child, and if there is a genuine need in order for them to be able to access the project, you can apply for a sibling discount by way of a bursary (please refer to Tier C).

Tier C – Bursary
From £25 per child per day based on attendance one day per week

From £23 per child per day based on attendance two days per week

Parents/carers can apply for a bursary through Emily Davies, founder of The Phoenix Project, at emily.davies@thephoenixproject.uk. We rely entirely on honesty to ensure that only families really in need of this assistance apply.

Fees are paid half-termly in advance and we ask for a deposit equivalent to 4 week’s fees. This is refundable when you leave, provided the required notice is given.

easyfundraising

Whenever you buy anything online – from your weekly shop to your annual holiday – you could be raising free donations for The Phoenix Project with easyfundraising. There are over 8,000 retailers on board ready to make a donation – including eBay, Argos, John Lewis & Partners, ASOS, Booking.com and M&S – and it won’t cost you a penny extra to help us raise funds. All you need to do is:

1. Go to https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/the-phoenix-project-home-education/ and join for free. 2. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first to find the site you want and start shopping. 3. After you’ve checked out, the retailer will make a donation to The Phoenix Project (Home Education) at no extra cost to you whatsoever! There are no catches or hidden charges and The Phoenix Project (Home Education) will be really grateful for your donations. Thank you for your support.

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testimonials

“My 10-year old has found his happy place at the Phoenix Project – an environment where his confidence is boosted because his way of being is affirmed. He gets to be outside when he wishes and to take part in the activities inside if he wants to. The facilitators are caring, compassionate and have the children’s needs at heart. The children learn about relationship and life through play. And there is strong sense of community for families who have chosen to home educate their young people. Highly recommend.”

Nic

“I couldn’t be more pleased with our experience at The Phoenix Project. As a father of two young boys, making the decision to opt for home education was a significant one, fraught with uncertainties. However, this community-centric, consent-based setting has been a true game-changer for us.
From day one, the atmosphere at The Phoenix Project was palpably different from any other educational setting we’ve encountered. The ethos centres around consent-based learning, giving our children the agency to choose their educational path. I was struck by how this environment encouraged curiosity and nurtured a genuine love for learning in both my sons.
The facilitators are exceptional—knowledgeable, compassionate, and highly attuned to each child’s unique learning style. They act more as guides than traditional teachers, which fits perfectly with the self-directed philosophy of the group. It’s fantastic to see my sons actively engage with subjects they’re passionate about, which would likely be stifled in a conventional classroom.
But what sets The Phoenix Project apart is its sense of community. The project doesn’t just involve the children; it genuinely takes into account the input from parents, creating a collaborative atmosphere that’s both enriching and reassuring. They have frequent parent sessions and workshops, which not only provide valuable insights into alternative education but also create a support network for home educating families like ours.
The location offers another layer of richness to this experience. The serene, natural setting is not only aesthetically pleasing but also serves as an excellent outdoor classroom. My boys have become more connected to nature and have a newfound appreciation for the environment, which is an education in itself.
To sum it up, The Phoenix Project is more than just a home education group—it’s a holistic learning community. It has significantly alleviated many of the concerns we initially had about home education and has provided my children with a rich, fulfilling and flexible educational journey. I couldn’t recommend it highly enough.”
Ivan

“Great friendships made and experiences had during our year at the project. Beautiful environment and well run, an all round great experience.”

Natalie

COME & SAY HI

We’d love you to get in touch!

Drop us a line with any questions, to arrange an initial chat over the phone and maybe a free trial session if our setting sounds like a good fit for your family…

Please send an email to: emily.davies@thephoenixproject.uk