Our Story
Our story starts in South East London with our founder, English teacher Vicki Barsby. In 2021, shortly after "Everyone's Invited" had dominated headlines, Vicki’s school received an open letter penned by former students, sharing their experiences of sexism and misogyny during their school years. In response, Vicki initiated a school-wide 'Listening Project' to better understand the problems identified by pupils both past and present.
Vicki interviewed a wide range of students to understand their perspectives on the school's Relationships Education provision. While they were well-informed about the physical aspects of sexual interactions, they universally expressed the need for something more than the facts of sexual intimacy: a deeper understanding of how to navigate the complexities of 'adult' emotional relationships, especially when they went awry.
Crucially, these students were united in their desire not to be spoken 'at,' or to endure more assemblies and visiting speakers. They craved a different, more engaging approach to Relationships Education, one that would resonate on a practical level.
So, Vicki used a design principle called ‘The Exception Method’ to develop an approach that felt distinct from the lessons she and her students had experienced thus far – an approach that would place the practical development of relational skills at its very core.
Out of this vision, our first game, Life Story, was born and trialled, swiftly followed by School Story and Love Story. In May 2023, this innovative approach to Relationships Education led to the shortlisting of our games for the TES Award for Pupil Mental Health Initiative of the Year. In 2024, the games were recognised by a further shortlisting, for The Debrett’s Education Award for Outstanding Pastoral Care.
Our story is one of empathy, understanding, and a drive to make a real difference in the lives of students. These games are more than just tools; they reflect a dedication to education that goes beyond the classroom, fostering emotional intelligence and practical life skills that will serve students far beyond their final exam. We hope you will join us in our mission to share these games with as many students as possible.