No, Noughtcross Haus is not a school. The learning community is a part-time setting supplementing the learning taking place at home and elsewhere for electively home educated children. The responsibility for providing a full-time education remains with the parents.

No, the learning community is self-directed and thus does not follow the national or another previously laid out curriculum. However, our setting utilises approaches from educational philosophies such as Montessori and Reggio Emilia to continuously assess and adapt the learning space to meet the needs and interest of the community members.

Noughtcross Haus’ learning community follows the long standing tradition of democratically organised educational settings such as Summerhill in Suffolk, England and Sudbury Valley in Massachutes, US where students remain responsible for their own education. Thus our key principles are self-directed learning, democracy and community. At Noughtcross Haus we believe that meaningful learning can only happen when the learner is happy and interested. We endeavour to provide a space that allows each learner in the community to feel safe and supported in their physical and emotional being as well as in the pursuit of their interests. To organise such a place in a fair and community orientated manner all aspects are governed through democratic procedures by all members.

Sarah Reichert and Nadine Fischer, the founders of Noughtcross Haus CIC are the initial facilitators and mentors of the learning community.

Children at Noughtcross Haus can start as soon as they reach compulsory school age (5 years). The only prerequisite is that the children can exercise personal autonomy and are willing and able to to live within the community rules.

The first cohort at the learning community ranges between the ages of 5 and 10. However, this age rage will expand as we endeavour to support our community members during the entirety of their compulsory school age.

Noughtcross Haus’ Learning community is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays, from 9am until 3pm. Our community year runs for 39 weeks, we do not run alongside conventional terms. Instead we have a longer break over Christmas and the beginning of spring, as well as the summer.

During their hours in the Noughtcross Haus learning community children are free to spend their time as they wish, so long as their actions do not infringe the rights and peace of anyone else in the community. The learning community will provide a range of materials and opportunities for the learners, what that entails will be decided by the community assembly as well as the community facilitators and mentors as laid out in their roles and responsibilities.

The learning community will be managed by the Community Assembly, which will consist of all participating members – staff and pupils. In these meetings issues are debated and voted upon, such as budget, community rules and policies, staffing, facilities and more, with each member having an equal vote. The decades long experience of other democratic educational settings around the world, backs our beliefs that even the youngest members, when asked to make real impactful, meaningful decisions can be trusted to make them for their own and the community’s benefit.

Alongside the community assembly, a judicial committee (JC), consisting of students and staff members, will deal with any rule breaks or conflicts that might occur. The committee will be charged to understand the truth and find justice for all members involved.

Noughtcross Haus’ learning community opened its doors in September 2024.

The learning community hosts altogether 12 children. We are currently at full capacity. However, we are looking to expand. If you would like to join the community at a future date, please register your interest by sending an email to noughtcrosshaus@gmail.com.

We currently don’t accept visits from potential new community members. If you’d like to be added to our waiting list, please contact us by sending an email to noughtcrosshaus@gmail.com with the subject ‘application pack’. When a potential space becomes available we will contact you for an opportunity to visit.

If you’d like to visit to potentially offer your services as volunteer facilitator, please contact us via email to noughtcrosshaus@gmail.com.

The learning community is located in the Norfolk Park area in Sheffield. It is based in the downstairs rooms of a private home.

Currently participating families pledge a minimum of £200 per month per child to the community. This covers around 60% of the overall budget. Noughtcross Haus CIC is committed to create an alternative education setting with low (and eventually no) financial barriers. Our aim is to raise the remaining funds through the profits of our other offerings, fundraisers and donations.

No, our attendance policies requires all community members to attend both days during opening times. This is to ensure a smooth and efficient running of the community.

Send us an email noughtcrosshaus@gmail.com with the subject ‘application pack’.

Our policies for safeguarding and child protection are outlined here. For any other policies, e.g. SEND or internet, technology and media safety please contact us directly via email noughtcrosshaus@gmail.com.

Noughtcross Haus is a community run by the community. We’d love for you to get involved.

If you’d like to volunteer as facilitator or illness cover please send us an email to noughtcrosshaus@gmail.com.

If you have surplus resources for the community or such as games, craft materials, sports equipment or music instruments etc. please send us an email to noughtcrosshaus@gmail.com with a list or pictures of your offerings. We appreciate your support!

Noughtcross Haus is a community interest company dedicated to supporting alternative and progressive 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. Our services currently include a part-time democratic learning community, a home ed circle for adults and a lending library.

Noughtcross Haus primary service is the self-directed, democratic learning community. Alongside this we offer a home ed circle once a month for home educating parents/carers and operate a lending library for educational tools, games and materials.

The home ed circle is a monthly gathering for home educating parents to find support and share stories. We meet every second Sunday of the month to discuss topics related to home educating our children. Wether you are new to home education or a seasoned facilitator, we are certain you will find value in our exchanges of tea and biscuits. See our events page for the next circle.

The home ed circle meets every second Sunday of the month at Noughtcross Haus, 6 Tylney Road, Sheffield. We are currently on an extended summer break, the next circle will be in October 2025. Check out our events page for upcoming circles.