+44 7759 591028
We are a community for connection.
We are a community for education.
We are connect-Ed.
connect-Ed at a Glance.
Who are we?
connect-Ed is a trauma informed post-primary learning centre. We are a support to parents of deregistered children as they oversee their child's education. Our focus is connection and then education - to facilitate first and foremost a space where young people can connect socially and grow in confidence and wellbeing.
What do we do?
We offer young people of secondary school age a nurturing community where they can be tutored at KS3 & GCSE level, connect socially and have fun together. We also offer parents an empathetic listening ear (usually over a coffee) and the support of a community who understands.
Why do we exist?
Bullying, trauma, unmet needs, 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. We believe all young people should have access to connection and education and we stand in the gap for those who have been impacted by school anxiety and school attendance barriers. (check out our resources page for more on school refusal, trauma and our partner site www.madewonderful.org.uk for more on the natural personality trait of high sensitivity)
connect-Ed Vision
Based in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, the vision of connect-Ed is that no young person in our community is disconnected from learning or socially isolated during their post-primary years.
Wider Vision
connect-Ed is an expression of our umbrella charity www.progeny.org.uk which also offers professional counselling and youth mentoring.
What we offer.
Curriculum/Activities
We are delighted to be able to deliver GCSE Maths, English, Business Studies and RE as well as the Princes Trust qualification and OCN's in ICT and Vocational Skills. Supplementary activities include PE, Art, Wellbeing activities and YENI Access Enterprise program. We are an approved OCN NI centre.
None of which would be possible without our amazing tutors and volunteers!
Community for young people
Currently meeting 9:30am - 2:10pm 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 us)
connect-Ed Team
Karen Wilton
connect-Ed Manager
Trauma & Mental Health Informed Practitioner. B.Sc (Hons), PGDip
Jenny Hamilton
English Tutor
B.Ed (Hons)
Nicola McKeown
RE and Vocational Skills Tutor
BD (Hons), PGCE
Jayne Peacock
Maths & Business Tutor
MBA, PGCE
Denise Pogue
ICT & KS3 Maths Tutor
BSc (Hons), PGCE
Claire Purkess
Prince's Trust Tutor
Experienced Business Owner
Shana Simpson
Volunteer Art Tutor
Barbara Chesney
Volunteer Youth Mentor
Ric Wilton
Wellbeing Tutor &
Youth Mentor
MSc Adolescent Counselling & Psychotherapy, BACP (Accred)
ARK Values
A - Acceptance
R - Respect
K - Kindness
connect-Ed 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, businesses and connect-Ed.
Contact Us
Meetinghouse Ln, Ballymena BT43 7BS
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 2022/23 academic year we are grateful to First Presbyterian Church, Ballymena for partnering with us in this way.
+44 7759 591028
connect-Ed is an expression of our umbrella charity www.progeny.org.uk which also offers professional counselling and youth mentoring.