Progeny Education
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We offer face to face group tuition and extra-curricular activities for young people at the KS3 and GCSE stage of learning.
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Who have found mainstream education too anxiety inducing but long for friendship and connection.
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Where 'emotional school refusal' has led to social isolation, disconnection and deregistration from learning.
About Us
Who Are We?
Progeny Education is a trauma informed post-primary learning centre established in spring 2021. We are a tutoring support to parents of young people who have found mainstream educational environments too overwhelming. Our focus is on connection and then education. To facilitate first and foremost a space where young people can connect socially and grow in confidence and wellbeing as they learn together.
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Are We A Good Fit?
Bullying, trauma, harsh environments, inappropriate support, and sometimes simply the God given unique personalities and traits of our young people, can lead to long term school attendance difficulties, school de-registration and social isolation.
The young people we support are typically those who 'act-in' when faced with such challenges rather than those who 'act-out'. Young people who withdraw into themselves, rather than those who outwardly 'rage against the world'. Those with a more sensitive natural personality.
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Our Vision/Ethos.
Based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, the vision of Progeny Education is to empower young people who find themselves outside of mainstream education. To rebuild self-esteem, overcome isolation and achieve qualifications for a brighter future. We offer a gentle, kind and hope-filled Christian environment where young people can be restored and encouraged to reach their God given potential.
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What we offer
Curriculum/Activities
We are delighted to be able to support parents, who have decided to deregister and home school their young person, the following group-based activities:
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GCSEs in Foundation Maths, English Language, Business and Religious Studies.
Princes Trust qualification - Personal Development and Employability Skills (equivalent to two GCSE’s.)
OCN's in Information Technology Applications and Vocational Skills (GCSE equivalents.)
Extra-curricular activities include Away Days, Wellbeing, Christian Devotionals (5 mins long each day) and YENI Access Enterprise program.
When and where
We are based out of First Presbyterian Church, Ballymena. Currently meeting 9:30am - 2:30pm Monday to Thursday each week. (where we meet)
Support for parents by parents
Simply connect via phone, email or text message - we are here to support and encourage you. We understand this journey. (call Karen)
Progeny Education Team
Karen Wilton
PROGENY EDUCATION Founder/Manager
Trauma & Mental Health Informed Practitioner. B.Sc (Hons), PGDip
Jenny Hamilton
English & RE
B.Ed (Hons)
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Jayne Peacock
Maths & Business
MBA, PGCE
Zabrina Pearson
RE, Vocational Skills and Prince's Trust
B.Sc (Hons), PGCE
Denise Pogue
ICT, Business & Vocational Skills
B.Ed (Hons)
ARK Values
A - Acceptance
R - Respect
K - Kindness
Progeny Education is founded on a Christian ethos and we believe that a culture of Acceptance, Respect and Kindness (ARK) is so important in enabling our young people to thrive. We also highly value relationship and seek to build strong partnerships between parents, young people, churches and businesses.
Fees and Funding
We are funded through a hybrid model of fees, individual donations, fundraising, church support and business sponsorships. This "multi-stranded’ community approach delivers a sustainable solution for our community of amazing young people.
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​Parental contributions are determined as follows:
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Full Rate:
£1600/Year or 10 monthly payments of £160
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Discount Rates:
If your total household gross income before tax and deductions is below £40,000 you may be able to apply for a discount.
Household gross income before tax and deductions £30,000 to £40,000: £1400/Year (10 payments of £140)
Household gross income before tax and deductions less than £30,000: £1200/Year (10 payments of £120)
We see our service as a partnership. We ask for honesty when you are determining if a discount is applicable and we will require bank statements showing all income streams before offering a discounted rate.
If your young person is not attending full time, then a pro-rata rate will be discussed.
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(Please Note: Our total costs are currently £4700 per pupil per year to run our programme of GCSEs and extra curricula activities. Parental contributions are heavily subsidised through the generosity of others. Young people funded directly by statutory services do not qualify for subsidies i.e. the yearly fee will be £4700 paid monthly)​
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Contact Us
First Presbyterian Church, Meetinghouse Ln, Ballymena BT43 7BS
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We keep our operating costs at a minimum by partnering with 'not for profit' organisations who kindly offer us appropriate spaces to run our learning community. In the 2024/25 academic year we are grateful to First Presbyterian Church, Ballymena for partnering with us in this way.
+44 7759 591028