Who we are

Noughtcross Haus is a community interest company dedicated to supporting self-directed, democratic education in and around Sheffield. Founded by Nadine Fischer and Sarah Reichert in 2024, we have made it our mission to help elective home educating families with their educational provision.

As home educating mothers ourselves, we understand the challenges and demands of forging educational pathways outside the mainstream school system. Our work focuses on supporting elective home educating families by creating community and sharing resources.

What we do

At Noughtcross Haus we believe in the power of self-directed learning, democratic principles to govern our choices and resources and community. From our base near Sheffield’s central Norfolk Heritage Park we currently offer a part-time learning community for children from age 5. In 2026 we plan to re-launch our home ed circle for parents and carers and open up a lending library for educational tools and games.

To stimulate life, leaving it free, however, to unfold itself – that is the first duty of the educator.

Maria Montessori

What we believe in

Noughtcross Haus began with the idea to create a self-directed, democratic learning community. Therefore our foundations are strongly build on our understanding of the works of Peter Grey and the two established democratic schools Summerhill, UK and Sudbury Valley, US. However, our entire approach to education will always be an eclectic mix of various resources. Below are the names of those who’s words and thoughts have shaped our work here at Noughtcross Haus.