Hustle Hive Learning
Home / Our approach & the Hustle 100

Our approach & the Hustle 100

Regulate, relate, reason: how we support young people, what a day looks like, and the curriculum behind it.

Supporting Mental Health & Resilience

We understand that a young person's behaviour and engagement are often the visible signs of much deeper experiences of stress, disruption or trauma. So our sessions are built in a clear order.

Step 1
Regulate.

Through movement, rhythm, routine and calm relationships.

Step 2
Relate.

Through consistent, trusted adults.

Step 3
Reason.

Academic and practical learning, once a young person feels safe and settled.

Our approach is grounded in two complementary frameworks.

The Power Threat Meaning Framework (Johnstone & Boyle, 2018) helps us move away from labelling young people by "what's wrong with them" and instead ask what has happened to them, so staff can respond with understanding rather than judgement.

Dr Bruce Perry's Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics recognises that the brain develops and regulates in a specific sequence, from basic survival responses through to higher-level thinking and learning.

Students in wetsuits relaxing on the beach with Gavin

What our students do

We balance cutting-edge technology and entrepreneurship with ancient skills like bushcraft, mindfulness and wild wellness, using Darlington and the wider Tees Valley as our classroom. Every activity links to the Hustle 100.

At Hustle HQ

3D Print Challenge

Design a useful product in CAD, then prototype, test and improve it before printing the final version.

Hustle 100: Innovation & Mindset

Product Design Challenge

Solve a real-world problem by researching, sketching, modelling and creating a prototype.

Hustle 100: Creativity & Innovation

STEM Build Challenge

Teams take on a challenge like the strongest bridge, tallest tower or fastest vehicle.

Hustle 100: Leadership & Community Engagement

Hustle Hive Market Day

Develop products, calculate costs, make stock and displays, then sell at a real mini market.

Hustle 100: Enterprise & Communication

Out and about

Dere Street Roman walk & Piercebridge Roman Fort

Linked to our Year 7 Roman Britain unit, with the group presenting a find or feature back at the fort.

Hustle 100: Communication

Beach clean & coastal erosion survey

A litter audit and pick, leading to an upcycled beach-plastic mini-enterprise product.

Hustle 100: Community Engagement & Enterprise

Cleveland Mountain Rescue visit

A mini enterprise task: costing kit, designing a callout process and pitching improvements.

Hustle 100: Enterprise & Innovation

Roseberry Topping & Captain Cook's Monument

A hike in the Cleveland Hills.

Hustle 100: Mindset & Independence

A day in the life of a Hustle Hive student

A calm, predictable structure, with a check-in at the start and a reflection at the end.

Mobile phones are handed in while on the premises, in line with current guidance.

  1. 9:30–9:45
    Arrival & check-in

    Settle in, attendance, wellbeing check and goals for the day.

  2. 9:45–10:30
    Session 1

    English and maths reinforced through practical projects, enterprise and wellbeing-focused learning, adapted to each learner's targets.

  3. 10:30–10:45
    Break

    Supervised social time.

  4. 10:45–12:15
    Session 2

    STEM, design, digital making or enterprise.

  5. 12:15–12:45
    Lunch

    Supervised lunch and relationship-building.

  6. 12:45–2:15
    Session 3

    Practical work, teamwork, problem solving and employability.

  7. 2:15–2:30
    Reflection, review & departure

    Learners review what they achieved, identify next steps and leave safely. Key information is shared with the commissioner as agreed.

Our Unique Curriculum

We deliver a broad, balanced and engaging curriculum designed around each learner. Core academic development is combined with practical, real-world experiences that build confidence, resilience and essential life skills.

Learners keep developing literacy, numeracy, communication and problem-solving through meaningful projects, alongside enterprise, STEM, creative technologies, outdoor education, wellbeing and personal development.

Through meaningful work experience and employer days, we can also help you better hit your Gatsby Benchmarks for hard-to-reach students.

Key areas of learning

  • Literacy & Communication
  • Numeracy & Problem Solving
  • STEM & Digital Technologies
  • Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
  • Creative Design & Making
  • Outdoor Education & Wellbeing
  • Personal Development & Life Skills
  • Employability & Future Pathways
  • Teamwork, Leadership & Confidence Building
  • Community & Social Responsibility
The Hustle 100 wheel showing its ten areas

The Hustle 100

10 areas. 100 challenges. Real impact.

Hustle 100 gives young people the chance to build real skills, confidence and life experience. Ten connected areas, each with ten challenges, help them grow, achieve and prepare for what's next. Learners don't need to complete all 100: each young person follows a flexible, personalised pathway that fits their needs, interests, placement objectives and length of placement.

Where appropriate, Hustle 100 activities can count towards recognised awards, unit accreditation and certificates of achievement, so even learners on shorter placements leave with tangible recognition.

Example learner pathways

Confidence & Re-engagement

Build confidence and routines, explore new experiences and develop core skills.

  • Mindset & Wellbeing
  • Practical Skills
  • Community
  • Next Steps

Outdoor Explorer

Get active and connect with nature.

  • Environment
  • Community
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Practical Skills
  • Personal Development

Creative Expression

Develop creative skills and share your voice.

  • Creative Arts
  • Digital
  • People & Relationships
  • Employability
  • Next Steps

Enterprise Maker

Turn ideas into action.

  • Practical Skills
  • Digital
  • Employability
  • Creativity
  • Community
  • Next Steps

Leadership Progression

Lead, contribute and prepare for what's next.

  • People & Relationships
  • Community
  • Employability
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Next Steps

"Confidence today. Opportunities tomorrow."

Our ambition for every learner

For every learner to leave with greater confidence, new skills, positive experiences and a clearer sense of what they can achieve next. We track progress in six areas.

Engagement

More participation, willingness to try tasks, better learning stamina and fewer refusals or withdrawals.

Attendance

Better attendance at commissioned sessions, and improved routines around arrival, punctuality and readiness to learn.

Learning

Progress against agreed academic or practical targets, evidenced by completed work, observation and assessment.

Behaviour & regulation

A better ability to manage frustration, follow agreed expectations, repair relationships and use support strategies.

Confidence & communication

More willingness to ask for help, contribute, explain ideas, work with others and reflect on progress.

Transition readiness

Evidence the learner is better prepared for reintegration, a new placement, post-16 education, training or employment.