‘Ask the Expert’ Q&A with The Awen Project
A Webinar for Start-Up Schools and Learning Communities
Wednesday 7 January 2026,
7.30-9.30pm GMT
If you've ever been inspired to set up your own school or learning community outside of the conventional school system, this webinar series gives you a chance to meet experts who have been there and done it!
In this session you will be introduced to The Awen Project, which is pioneering a new model for learning environments, where young people are championed to be themselves and follow their passions as active participants in a democratic community.
Based in South Wales, The Awen Project was founded by singer/song-writer Charlotte Church and artist Jonny Field. Charlotte's vision initially came as a mother balking at the unnatural way schools organise children and systematically deny them basic freedoms.
She embarked upon an extensive research and development project to understand how education was being done in the best schools in the UK, from Springwell Learning Community in Barnsley, to Eton College. Ultimately it was Sands School in Devon that provided the greatest inspiration, and she founded The Awen Project as a charity to support democratic learning communities in 2019.
The Awen Project works with families to co-construct small, free-to-attend learning communities, that are run by the students and have ethics of excellence, entrepreneurialism and deep creativity.
They are developing a new model of learning community that holds as its central concern the wellbeing and holistic needs of young people as individuals and as a community.
This inspirational approach is also demonstrating how learning communities can be built by young people and self-financed through entrepreneurial ventures developed by the students in collaboration with the wider community.
About Our Guest
Jonny Field, Co-Founder and Head of Learning at The Awen Project
Jonny Field is an educator and artist, holding space for young people to learn, grow and explore their connection to their human and more-than-human communities.
Since 2019 he has been central in developing Awen's curriculum, internal structures, and pedagogical approach, whilst also being the principal learning facilitator for the first Awen learning community. He practices the support of young people towards intrinsically motivated learning, the building and sustaining meaningful community, re-engaging with nature as an integral part of it, and tending to the soul.
Jonny describes himself as an accidental educator. With a background in music and writing, he never intended to work in education, but after stepping into a classroom to fill a temporary gap, he discovered both a talent and a passion for helping young people connect with their own. He believes that those who come to education later in life can bring emotional maturity and hard-won expertise — qualities that will be essential in the collective reimagining of our education system.
Event Format, Recording and Ticket Price
This event takes place online via Zoom at 7.30-9.30pm GMT on Wednesday 7th January. You will have the chance to hear a short presentation from Jonny, and then you are invited to ask any questions you might have. Everyone who registers will be sent the recording after the event.
If you have questions but can't make the date, you are still welcome to register for the event. Simply send your questions through to us at [email protected] and they will get asked in the session on your behalf.
This webinar is £20 for non-members, and FREE for members.
Become a Member for Further Support
Join Us!
Would you like to join the Education Start-Ups membership community to access further support? Our membership offers:
Monthly expert webinars (like this one);
Monthly group coaching for peer support and collaborative problem solving;
Online platform for sharing resources/ideas and supporting each other between sessions.
Some extra bonuses too!
You can find out more at EducationStartUps.org/community.
Note to Members
If you are a member, you do not need to register for this event. You will automatically receive the Zoom link in your online community portal.
About Us
This webinar series is brought to you by Jo Symes at Progressive Education and Alex O’Neill from Limitless. We are education activists who have a shared passion for raising awareness of alternatives to mainstream school.
For the past couple of years Alex and Jo have been creating events and resources for start-ups, in response to the growing number of children and young people leaving mainstream education, and the urgency that parents/carers/educators feel to build new learning environments where young people can thrive.
Introducing Alex O’Neill
Alex is the driving force behind Limitless, an organisation dedicated to igniting social change with a special emphasis on revolutionising the education sector.
Through the Limitless podcast, she shares expert insights and neuroscience tips to empower changemakers to tackle the world's most pressing issues.
Alex is committed to uniting individuals who are driven to advance education and supporting them in overcoming obstacles that stand in their way.
Introducing Jo Symes
Jo is the founder of the social enterprise, Progressive Education, which raises awareness of alternatives to conventional schooling and campaigns for change within mainstream education. She is building a global directory of jobs, events and progressive schools and learning communities.
It began with the launch of the Progressive Education Group on Facebook in 2019, which is an international community of over 11k members including parents/carers, educators, academics, researchers, psychologists, education innovators and changemakers.
