Heroes Berkshire is an education centre where children can attend on a flexi basis to learn.  Our centre is based in The Old Shire Horse Centre in Maidenhead Berkshire  and we have another site in Kings Langley Herts . Heroes Berkshire is a not for profit social enterprise that provides a creative, safe learning environment for young people from the ages of 8 - 18 years who are not currently involved in main-stream education.  We offer an innovative educational approach to learning through hands on experiences for all ages and abilities. Each student has their own learning plan. We have our own animal centre with lots of beautiful animals where the children can learn all about them whilst working alongside them. We have a games room, a music room, library, large kitchen for cooking, art room and a computer suite and an large outdoor barn for bike maintenance and woodwork. Heroes aims are to develop, good communication skills, independence, empathy, self-awareness, and a motivation to learn,  through engaging in simulating and challenging activities/workshops
The environment is a calm, safe learning environment free from bullying where clear boundaries are set for behaviour. The facilitators and tutors are patient, encourage students to make their own choices and help build each young persons self esteem using positive vocabulary, and by building confidence in each young person through the involvement of hands on workshops. Every young person has the opportunity to learn about the natural environment, how to handle risks and most importantly how to use their own initiative to solve problems and co-operate with others.  They learn boundaries of behaviour, both physical and social, grow in confidence,  develop high self-esteem and become self motivated to learn.
	The centre is suitable for young people who are being home-educated, young people who struggle to learn in a class-room setting, young people with have low self worth or young people who have been severely bullied. We aim to develop young people as independent learners with an enthusiasm for learning, who are able to organise their own  time and learning effectively, make choices and interact within a stimulating and creative environment.   We teach practical life-changing skills which lead to employment, greater confidence and higher self esteem, like leadership, goal-setting, cooking, problem solving and preparing the students for the real world.   We are a small friendly community that support young people, not only in their studies, but in all areas of their lives.

Each child is encouraged to keep their own portfolio of achievements via photos and materials which they can use to show which work they have covered.

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Why We Love Going To Heroes

I love taking my girls (aged 4 and 10) to Heroes because they have so much fun connecting with their best friends every week and making new ones.  They so enjoy the space to run around the hall feeling free and chatting to their friends or going to the skate park or play park.  

They love the cooking,  whether it be making pizzas or their own homemade bread or chocolate chip cookies or delicious pancakes or homemade pasta.  They love getting a groove on with Natasha the Hip Hop teacher, painting with Inge the oil painter or making beautiful crafty creations or paintings and drawings with Pam the artist.

Heroes is overseen by Dawn Dingwall and her family.  Dawn somehow manages to be very professional as she supervises all the activities (seeming to be everywhere at once) while being very relaxed and friendly.  She constantly makes time to chat to the children regardless of age and is always patient and understanding.  Lorrie, her husband, is always there if you need a hand with something and is similarly very friendly and professional.  Jodie, their daughter, runs the drama group from tiny tots to big old teens and is loads of fun.  The kids love her and her drama groups.

I wouldn’t hesitate recommending Heroes to any home-edding family!  Go and try it out for yourselves!  We love it!