Salisbury mum celebrates record year for educational business

Thursday, 11 April 2024 01:00

Salisbury mum-of-two Kirstin Coughtrie set-up Gaia Learning, an online educational platform for neurodivergent children, five years ago.

In the past three months Gaia Learning have secured £100,000 in investments, with the number of learners tripling since the start of this academic school year.

The educational business was set up in 2019 and delivers live, online learning for children aged 8-16 with ADHD and Autism, mostly used as a supplement to existing school provision.

Founder Kirstin said, “We’re going from strength to strength and are ending this financial year on a high – totalling our investment to £100K, growing our team to 13 staff members and seeing interest coming in from schools across the UK.

“Now, more than ever, schools need flexible, digital solutions that can scale within budget supporting each neurodivergent child’s needs”.

Kirstin, a tech-obsessed Geography teacher founded the online learning platform in 2019, due to the inadequacies she faced in mainstream school for her neurodivergent son who, like herself, has ADHD.

Three years ago she teamed up with experienced tech entrepreneur Kate Longworth and together they’ve taken Gaia Learning from a small, specialist tuition business to an award-winning Cambridge Registered International School Online.

As a national 'alternative education provider', Gaia Learning partners with schools, local authorities and families across the UK and beyond.

Investor Susanna Lawson, co-founder of Circle of Trust said, “Gaia Learning is a fantastic solution to support all stakeholders with an increasing market need. And so I’m thrilled to be able to invest in two amazing female entrepreneurs, who have demonstrated strong traction, a recognised brand in the ‘EdTech’ space and impressive entrepreneurial spirit. I’m excited to be part of their journey”.

Last year, Gaia Learning was the first online learning provider to be awarded the ADHD Friendly School award from the ADHD Foundation.

To find out more about Gaia Learning, visit www.gaialearning.co.uk

CEO Kate Longworth (L) with founder Kirstin Coughtrie (R)

More from Local News

Tributes paid to Stuart Withers after fatal accident in Salisbury

Tributes are being paid to Stuart Withers, who was knocked down and killed in an accident in Salisbury yesterday (22nd November) morning.
Salisbury's match against Maidstone United is ON

Salisbury's match against Maidstone United this afternoon is ON!
Shops tested on 'Challenge 25 policy' when selling knives

Almost 60% of shops visited by during a week of action focusing on knife crime passed the 'Challenge 25 policy' and didn't sell knives or bladed articles to under-age shoppers.
SEND families invited to online meeting to hear updates on SEND support

Wiltshire Council is inviting families of children and young people with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND) to participate in an online session as part of the consultation on the funding for Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Longleat closed today due to bad weather

Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire will be closed today (Saturday 23 November) due to the forecast of strong winds.
Salisbury MP visits local primary school

Salisbury's MP has visited Winterbourne Earls Primary School and answered children's questions on a range of subjects.
Man in his 70s dies after Exeter Street collision

A man in his 70s has sadly died following a road traffic collision in Salisbury City Centre this morning (22nd November).
Weather Warning: Salisbury set for Heavy Rain this weekend

The Met Office has put a yellow weather warning in place across the area thanks to Storm Bert.