Our Story

Phil, Chris and Danny the 3 directors of Utopia met working in a local special school and wanted to offer an alternative to traditional schooling for young people unable to cope with the demands of their current setting. Nearly 4 years we have expanded our provision to provide a number of programmes that support young people to achieve improved educational and personal outcomes.

Meet the Directors

With over 25 years experience in education settings, ranging from mainstream and SEN schools to charity based youth development programmes our expertise enables us to engage and achieve positive outcomes for some of the most challenging, hard to reach and vulnerable learners. Course tutors are highly trained behaviour management specialists with extensive knowledge and experience in delivering alternative educational provision to all young people.

Chris Black (BA Hons)

Head of Centre

Chris is a qualified Teacher with over 15 years experience in education.He is an advocate for educational equality and has worked in both mainstream and SEN schools working with a wide spectrum of young people. He has a proven track record in raising attainment across a variety of subjects including; English and Maths and also has also delivered; Assessment for Learning and Behaviour Management training.

Danny Cooke (BA Hons)

Programme Lead

Danny is a Qualified Youth and Community worker who has been working with young people in alternative settings for the last 12 years. Danny specialises in planning, implementing and delivering personal development programmes to at risk young people aged 13-19. Danny has spent time working in SEN schools and has been involved in delivering in-house and external behaviour management training. Danny has also worked delivering therapeutic interventions to young people with a variety of needs.

Philip Murray (BA Hons)

Inclusion Manager

Philip is a BA Hons Playwork graduate who has worked with children and young people across a variety of settings over the past 13 years. He has ran Outreach projects in in economically deprived areas across the North West and was director of Rock School for over 3 years which taught and mentored young people aged 11-17 through music courses. Philip has worked in a variety of roles within Wirral secondary schools and particualarly excelled in working with young people who struggle to engage in their education setting. Philip is an active Duke of Edinburgh Expedition Leader and current trustee & volunteer at local mental health Charity 'The Open Door Centre'.