North Devon woman converts van into 'classroom on wheels'

Kim Seybold, a former primary school teacher with 12 years of experience, has reinvented the concept of education with her unique 'Classroom on Wheels' initiative, aptly named The Learning Journey.

Kim’s life took an unexpected turn when she received a diagnosis of cervical cancer, prompting her to step away from her teaching post and undergo months of challenging treatments. Undeterred, Kim decided to turn a joke with her brother into a reality, envisioning a tutoring service delivered from a van.

After researching the idea and finding inspiration from teachers in the US, she purchased an old welfare van and partnered with Driftwood Campers in Bideford to transform it into her mobile classroom.

With her Classroom on Wheels, Kim drives around North Devon to people’s homes, offering personalised tutoring sessions on their doorstep. Described as "like Deliveroo but more interactive", this approach quickly gained popularity. Starting with after-school tutoring for children needing an extra academic boost, Kim soon found herself teaching home schooled children and those who faced challenges attending mainstream school.

The success of The Learning Journey expanded further, leading Kim to organise various groups in unconventional settings such as parks, woods, fields, and beaches. The mobility of her classroom allows her to transcend traditional learning environments, truly bringing education to the students.

A recent collaboration with a local nursery to support its Maths Champion program showcases Kim’s commitment to innovative educational partnerships.

What sets Kim’s teaching apart is its holistic and bespoke nature. Each child’s unique interests form the core of her lesson plans, embodying her ethos.

The result has been transformative; children with prior anxiety about learning have gained self-esteem and self-belief, thriving in their individual learning journeys.

Kim Seybold's unconventional approach to education has not only defied the odds but has also become a beacon of inspiration for the North Devon community.