How Sage Payroll supports Darwin Education: A non-for-profit that uses sport to change the lives of young people

Natalie has created another setting around flexibility, trust and belonging, a place where young people can feel safe, rebuild their confidence and discover that learning can work for them, not against them.

We sat down with Natalie, along with Darwin Education team member Dak and teacher Sam Cash, to hear how Darwin supports young people through personal education, sport and community.

Watch the full interview above, then read the story.

How did Darwin’s education begin?

Natalie always knew she wanted to teach. From a young age, education was part of his plan, and sports were a way to survive. After studying sports science, coaching and academic studies, he began his teaching career, later becoming SENCO and senior leader at SEMH school.

But even though she has many years of experience in education, Natalie kept seeing the same problem: students were left behind in a system that was not designed for them. Young people who needed a different approach, more flexibility, and a place where they felt safe enough to learn.

“Everyone has the right to the education they deserve,” said Natalie. “The current education system is one type of mold, and it doesn’t always work that way.”

Once she had the qualifications, experience and confidence she needed, Natalie put her own money into creating Darwin Education, a not-for-profit alternative designed to adapt to the individual.

Education is designed for the individual

At Darwin, learning doesn’t start with a strict timetable. It starts with relationships.

Each student’s timetable is tailored to their needs, interests and goals. Some are working to return to mainstream school, while others need support after a long absence from education, low self-esteem or their own challenges. There is no uniform, no metal, no one mold everyone has to fit.

Natalie has deliberately designed the center so that it doesn’t feel like a school. The space feels like home, and the key throughout is to remove as many barriers as possible so that young people feel comfortable.

He says: “The things I hear in this center are a lot of laughter. We try to make the center look like a home, so they feel safe and secure.”

For Dak, a Learning Mentor working at Darwin Education, that sense of safety is what allows real change to happen. He says that many young people arrive with the feeling that everyone is against them, but over time, they begin to trust that the people around them really want to help.

“I think it’s about seeing a lot of changes for these kids,” he says. “They come in and they have a lot of emotions and a lot of things that have happened to them … And all of a sudden, they have these people who really want to help them.”

A place to feel welcome

For Sam Cash, a high school teacher and parent, Darwin’s approach is personal. Her son is studying in Darwin, and after just a few weeks, she says she saw a “huge change” in him. What stood out the most was that he didn’t have to go into the skin. He can simply be accepted for who he is.

“You’re a square peg,” said Sam. “And you’re trying to put him in a round hole. That doesn’t matter here. You’re welcome for who you are.”

That acceptance has helped him to overcome loneliness, meet like-minded people and build confidence in a place that suits his needs. And it’s part of what convinced Sam to take the next step in his career.

After years in mainstream education, she will join Darwin Education in September, drawn by the opportunity to support more children in an environment that feels flexible and personal.

Learning about sports, self-esteem and community

Sports are part of Darwin Education’s story, not just as a job, but as a way to connect with young people.

Natalie grew up playing soccer, hockey and lacrosse, and went on to coach and manage at the highest level. For him, sports have always been about more than playing. It builds self-confidence, teamwork and mental well-being, and opens young people’s eyes to a different future.

“The role of sports in education is a common language,” said Natalie. “When we think of sport, we don’t just think of playing it. There are many different roles as well.”

That thinking comes through courses like Football Studies, where students explore English, maths and science through the lens of football—everything from the physics of how the ball moves to design, math, coaching and the roles behind the sport.

Dak sees sports as another way to help young people feel a sense of belonging. Whether it’s football, basketball or a simple sport that gets someone involved, he says sports can create a “domino effect”, encouraging students to try something new because someone has shown them it’s possible.

Samke agreed. As a former coach and teacher, he sees sports as a place where young people can channel their strengths, develop good morals and express themselves in a way that traditional courses don’t always allow.

“Sports removes those boundaries,” Sam said. “You can be whoever you want to be.”

That connection to sport also helps Darwin Education to build links with the wider community. The organization sponsors local footballers, including Jamie Reid at Stevenage Football Club, and sees local clubs as safe spaces that can provide young people with positive role models.

For Natalie, even small actions can make a big difference. A professional football player who knows a student’s name, signs something for him or just shows interest can help a young person feel recognized.

How Darwin Education finds time with Sage

Although Natalie knew education inside out, starting Darwin Education meant learning a whole new side of running an organization.

He says: “Business is not my thing at all. “There are many things I did not know about business before establishing Darwin Education: tax, salaries, pensions.”

Payroll was one of the areas where Darwin Education needed proper support from the start. Sage was recommended to Natalie as a program to help manage payroll, pensions and a monthly manager that comes with paying people efficiently.

Since using Sage Payroll, Natalie says the biggest benefit has been time. “It saves a lot of time at the end of the month,” he says. “It’s kind of like clicking for 20 minutes to do payslips, then click, click, and you’re done.”

That extra time seems to be worth it. With Sage taking care of the payroll, Natalie has more room to focus on what she does best, supporting students, and is part of what allows Darwin Education to grow.

From September, the organization is expanding some of its post-16 provision in partnership with Stevenage Football Club, supporting young Year 11 leavers without college placement. Students will follow a sport-based course tailored to their needs, with small classes, training and time split between the Darwin Center and Stevenage Football Club.

Natalie is also looking to provide basic services and continue to grow Darwin as a non-profit organization that can support more young people and families.

Final thoughts

Ask Natalie what she’s proud of, and it’s not growing up. It is the youth who have found a way to return to learning because of it.

“I hope that Darwin will continue forever as a legacy,” said Natalie. “Where we can continue as a non-profit organization is to support as many families and as many young people as possible.”

Because in Darwin, education is not about forcing young people to conform to a program. It’s about creating an environment where they feel safe, understood and ready to take their next step.