We've Been Featured on DevonLive!

We were so excited to be featured in DevonLive this week. It was a real joy to chat about how You Can Sit With Us came to life and the unique kind of space we offer for home-educated children.

Torbay’s secret classroom gives home learners space to thrive

When school didn’t work for their daughter, Adam and Caron built a unique drop-off space that’s giving families the calm they’ve been craving

In the heart of Torbay, where the English Riviera meets real-life parenting challenges, one couple is quietly transforming how home-educating families find support, connection, and a little breathing space.

Meet Adam and Caron Agatowski – the husband-and-wife duo behind You Can Sit With Us, a refreshingly calm and affordable drop-off learning space for children aged 8 to 14. It’s not school. It’s not tutoring. And it’s certainly not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it’s something different – and exactly what many parents didn’t realise they needed.

Born from Lived Experience

Adam Agatowski, 37, and his wife Caron, 33, didn’t plan to enter the world of education. Based in St Marychurch, Torquay, their backgrounds are grounded in business and care – Adam ran a successful car detailing business for six years, while Caron worked in the care sector mentoring managers and now works as a private housekeeper and carer. But like many great ideas, You Can Sit With Us was born out of necessity.

“This came directly from our own journey,” says Adam. “We began home-educating our daughter this year after realising that mainstream school just wasn’t the right fit for her. We wanted her to have the freedom to learn in her own way, at her own pace.”

As they adjusted to the new rhythm of home education, they quickly recognised a common struggle shared by many parents: the lack of flexible, supportive spaces where children can learn and parents can breathe.

“How can I earn money while home-educating? Will my child have enough opportunities to socialise?” Adam recalls asking. “That’s when we thought, if it doesn’t exist, why don’t we create it?”

A Safe Space for Learning – and Breathing Room

So, what exactly is You Can Sit With Us ? Simply put, it’s a drop-off co-learning space where children lead their own learning in a quiet, welcoming environment – under gentle supervision.

“Children arrive with their parents and bring along whatever they’d like to work on – a laptop, a workbook, a sketchpad, even headphones for a podcast,” Adam explains. “It’s self-directed learning in a shared space, with peer support and calm facilitation.”

No formal curriculum. No tests. Just time, space, and freedom. Some moments are focused and quiet, others evolve into shared problem-solving or impromptu discussions. Children can take breaks when needed, snack, stretch, or simply read a book – all without the rigid structure of traditional schooling.

“It’s about enjoyment, confidence, and connection,” Adam says. “A chance to replicate the rhythm of home learning in a new, social setting.”

At just £15 per session, affordability is a cornerstone of the project. Adam and Caron have deliberately kept costs low to make it accessible to as many families as possible.

“Supporting parents and carers is just as important to us as supporting the children,” Adam says. “We’d love to offer short-term funded places too, for families just starting out or needing a boost.”

Currently, sessions are held at Preston Baptist Church Café in Paignton and St Matthias Church in Torquay – intentionally small, warm venues to keep things manageable and personal.

Not Quite School, Not Quite Childcare

Part of what makes You Can Sit With Us unique is that it resists easy classification. “We’re not school, we’re not tutoring, and we’re not exclusively childcare,” Adam explains. “We’re a little bit of everything, but in a more relaxed and child-led way.”

Group sizes are kept small, and the emphasis is on kindness and calm. That’s particularly important given the mixed age range – sessions cater for children aged 8 to 14.

“We know mixing ages can worry parents,” Adam acknowledges. “That’s why we set clear, kind expectations from the start. Every family gets a parent pack explaining how we keep things respectful and age-appropriate.”

Parents don’t stay during sessions – unless their child is new and needs a gentle transition period. “We know it’s a big step for some children – and parents – and trust is very important to us,” he says.

And what do families think? “The response has been amazing,” Adam smiles. “Parents love the gentle atmosphere and tell us it gives them space to work or rest. And the kids are just so happy to make new friends and try new things.”

A Growing Movement, and a Growing Need

The rise in home education in the South West is undeniable – and Adam has the numbers to back it up. “In 2021/22 there were 440 registered home-educated children in Torbay,” he says. “The following year that rose to 725 – that’s around a 65% increase.”

He attributes the shift to a range of factors, from the pandemic and mental health concerns to neurodiversity and a growing desire for more flexible, child-centred learning.

But while the reasons vary, one constant remains: “Every family who chooses this path is putting their child at the centre,” he says. “They’re asking, ‘What does my child need?’”

Of course, the decision to home-educate comes with real challenges. “One of the biggest is figuring out how to continue earning a living,” Adam says, adding that he and Caron even wrote a blog on balancing work and home education. “We get it. That was the biggest question for us too.”

Looking Ahead – and Reaching Further

For now, Adam and Caron are leading sessions themselves, but they’ve got their sights set on growing the team.

“As we grow, we’d love to bring in guest facilitators and specialists to cover more topics,” Adam says. “We’re also exploring ways to support parents more directly – with workshops, social events, and even wellbeing sessions.”

Expansion is also on the horizon. “We’d love to offer more sessions across Torbay and eventually reach Newton Abbot, Totnes and beyond,” Adam shares. “The demand is definitely there – it’s just about growing steadily and sustainably.”

One Step at a Time

As for advice for parents considering home education, Adam’s message is reassuringly grounded.

“Honestly, just take it one step at a time,” he says. “You don’t need to have it all figured out. Talk to other families, ask questions, and trust your instincts. You’ll be surprised how quickly you find your rhythm.”

It’s this spirit – steady, thoughtful, and practical – that defines You Can Sit With Us. It’s not trying to be everything. It’s just trying to be enough: enough support, enough space, enough connection. For many families in Torbay, that’s exactly what they’ve been waiting for.