About Crossroads: Learning that fits the child — not the other way around
About Crossroads: we support children, young people and families across Wales and England with flexible home education packages, personalised tuition, practical workshops, qualifications and a calm, supportive exam environment.
We believe every learner deserves to feel understood, capable and hopeful about what comes next.
What families can expect
Personalised
Learning is shaped around each young person’s needs, goals, pace and interests.
Supportive
We create calm, encouraging spaces where learners feel safe, listened to and respected.
Flexible
Families can combine tuition, workshops, qualifications, online support and exam-centre services.
SEE CROSSROADS IN ACTION
About Crossroads on film
Welcome to Crossroads
The Crossroads documentary
About Crossroads and why it exists
Crossroads was founded by Kate and Gavin Gibson, a husband-and-wife team with more than 35 years of combined teaching experience in Science and Mathematics.
After seeing more young people struggle with anxiety, unmet additional learning needs and the pressures of mainstream education, they wanted to create something calmer, more flexible and more personal.
Today, Crossroads brings together experienced tutors, specialists and partner organisations to help learners rebuild confidence, gain meaningful qualifications and move forward at a pace that works for them. Families can also access our additional learning needs support and supportive private exam centre.
A MESSAGE TO PARENTS
What parents should know about Crossroads
Dear Parent,
If you have found yourself here, chances are you are exploring new options for your child and may be feeling a mixture of uncertainty, concern and hope about what comes next.
We are Gav and Kate — a husband-and-wife team, parents ourselves, and teachers with more than 35 years of combined experience. We understand that choosing a different educational path is not only an academic decision; it can be an emotional decision for the whole family.
That is why we created Crossroads: to offer friendly, flexible and expert support that builds confidence, supports wellbeing and helps each young person move forward in a way that works for them.
Whether you are just beginning to explore home education or are already on that journey, we are here to make things feel clearer, calmer and more manageable.
You do not have to figure it all out on your own. We are here when you need us.
Best wishes,
Gav & Kate
MEET THE TEAM
Experienced people who genuinely care
Crossroads Central - Caerphilly
Kate Gibson
Co-founder
Science teacher and Biology specialist with 20 years’ experience. Kate is passionate about making learning enjoyable, accessible and supportive, particularly for learners with additional needs.
Gavin Gibson
Co-founder
Science and Mathematics teacher with nearly 20 years’ experience. Gavin brings curiosity, energy and practical learning into a safe environment where students can grow in confidence.
Carrie Powell
Exam Officer
Carrie combines more than 20 years’ experience across business and the voluntary sector with lived experience as a parent of neurodiverse children. She helps make the exam process clear, calm and supportive.
James Odlum
Science & Mathematics Tutor
James has taught Science and Mathematics for more than 20 years. He enjoys making complex ideas manageable through practical experiments, structured problem solving and patient encouragement.
Abby Klammer
Tutor
A qualified teacher with 13 years’ experience working with children aged 3–16 in the UK and abroad. Abby adapts her teaching to the learning style and needs of each child.
Craig
Mathematics, IT & Business Tutor
Craig has almost 30 years’ experience as a teacher, mentor, coach and senior leader. He specialises in Mathematics, IT and Business Studies and builds positive, empowering relationships with students.
Maddy Hopper
Creative Tutor
Maddy is a qualified teacher with a passion for art, music, storytelling and outdoor learning. She helps students explore ideas and build confidence through creativity and individual expression.
Charlotte Keating
Outdoor Learning Lead
Charlotte is a qualified Early Years and Childcare practitioner with experience supporting additional learning needs. She creates practical outdoor experiences that support development, confidence and wellbeing.
Kate Hillier
ALNCo
Founder of The Dyslexia Detective and a qualified Specialist Teacher and Assessor. Kate supports learners with dyslexia, dyscalculia, visual stress and wider additional learning needs through a holistic approach.
Crossroads Midlands - Staffordshire
Zoe Donnellan
Lead Tutor — Crossroads Midlands
Zoe brings 19 years of teaching experience and the perspective of a home-educating parent. She understands the importance of personalising every learner’s journey.
HOW WE HELP
Support for the whole learning journey
Explore our home education packages, educational workshops, qualification pathways, exam centre and ALN support.
Tuition & home education
Personalised tuition and flexible home education packages designed around the learner.
Workshops & community
Small-group learning, creative activities and opportunities to build friendships and confidence.
Qualifications
Accessible pathways to recognised qualifications, supported online or through structured programmes.
Exams & ALN support
A supportive private exam centre and specialist help for additional learning needs.
Ready to talk about what might work for your family?
About Crossroads
At Crossroads, we specialise in home education in Wales and England, supporting children, young people, and families with personalised learning, flexible education programmes, and expert guidance.
Our Mission is simple: to provide accessible, compassionate home education for every family, empowering every learner with the confidence, skills, and support they need to thrive, no matter their starting point or learning style.
Whether you’re seeking home education support, GCSE exam preparation, ALN/SEND-friendly learning, or alternative provision, Crossroads offers a safe, supportive environment where learning fits and futures flourish.
Empower your child to succeed with flexible, high-quality home education. Discover the Crossroads difference today.
A Personal Note to Parents Considering Home Education
Dear Parent,
If you’ve found yourself here, chances are you’re exploring new options for your child and maybe feeling a mix of uncertainty, concern, and hope about what comes next.
We’re Gav and Kate a husband-and-wife team (and parents ourselves) with over 35 years of combined experience teaching Science and Maths across South Wales.
In recent years, especially after COVID, we’ve seen more and more young people struggling in mainstream school. Many are facing anxiety or have ALN/SEND needs that aren’t being fully supported. We’ve also seen the impact this has on families – feeling overwhelmed, unsure where to start, and often navigating home educating without much guidance.
If that sounds like your situation, you’re not alone.
We know from personal experience that this isn’t just about education, it’s a big emotional decision for the whole family.
That’s why we created Crossroads.
Our aim is to offer friendly, flexible, and expert home education support across Wales and England. We work closely with families to create personalised learning that builds confidence, supports wellbeing, and helps each young person move forward in a way that works for them.
Whether you’re just starting to explore home educating or already on that journey, we’re here to make things feel clearer, calmer, and more manageable.
You don’t have to figure it all out on your own, we’re here when you need us.
Best Wishes
Gav & Kate
Meet the people behind Crossroads
Experienced Educators
Our tutors bring years of classroom, tutoring and specialist subject experience. They know how to make learning clear, engaging and manageable, helping students grow in both knowledge and confidence.
Supportive & ALN-Aware
We understand that every child learns differently. Our team creates safe, encouraging learning spaces where students feel listened to, supported and able to progress at their own pace.
Personalised Progress
From confidence-building to GCSE preparation, our tutors adapt their teaching to suit each student’s needs, goals and learning style — helping every learner move forward with clarity and purpose.
Crossroads Central - Caerphilly
Kate Gibson
Gavin Gibson
James Odlum
Abby Klammer
Craig
Maddy Hopper
Carrie Powell
Charlotte Keating
Kate Hillier
Crossroads Midlands - Staffordshire
Zoe Donnellan
Charlotte Keating
Maddy Hopper
- Art
- Music
Hi, I’m Maddy. I’m a qualified teacher with a real passion for art, music, storytelling, and all things outdoors. I love to teach in ways that best suit each individual student, and always aim to make learning an enjoyable experience through individual creativity. I believe the arts are integral to being human, and every student deserves the chance to explore and express their creativity in their favourite subjects. When I’m not teaching, you can usually find me painting, on the beach, or spending time with my beloved loan pony, Beau.
Maddy Hopper
- Art
- Music
Read full bio
Hi, I’m Maddy. I’m a qualified teacher with a real passion for art, music, storytelling, and all things outdoors. I love to teach in ways that best suit each individual student, and always aim to make learning an enjoyable experience through individual creativity. I believe the arts are integral to being human, and every student deserves the chance to explore and express their creativity in their favourite subjects. When I’m not teaching, you can usually find me painting, on the beach, or spending time with my beloved loan pony, Beau.