Helen Kenworthy – Rethinking Education, Rebuilding Confidence

There are some conversations that stay with you long after they end, and this was one of them.

When I sat down with Helen Kenworthy, founder of Of Course You Can and leader of the Creative Pathway Partnership, what stood out immediately was not just her experience, but the depth of clarity and conviction behind everything she is building.

This isn’t theory, and it’s not surface-level commentary on what needs to change. It’s lived experience, turned into action.

From Personal Experience to Purpose-Driven Change

Helen’s journey into education didn’t begin with a positive experience of the system. She describes herself as quiet and shy at school, growing up in an environment where additional support was needed, yet never truly receiving it. 

School, in her words, was something she “managed” rather than something that supported her to thrive.

That experience stayed with her, shaping how she later approached her own work in education.

After training and moving into leadership roles within alternative provision, she found herself watching the same patterns repeat, particularly when systems designed for mainstream education were applied in environments where they clearly did not work.

“I watched the colour drain out of the kids’ faces,” she shared. “Suddenly they were being made to do things that they massively struggled to do in mainstream school.”

That moment became a catalyst for change.

“The only way to make this happen is to do it myself.”

Instead of trying to adjust within a system that wasn’t serving the young people in front of her, Helen made the decision to build something different.

The Creative Pathway – Building Around the Individual

What she has created is a three-part model designed to support young people in a way that reflects who they are, rather than forcing them to adapt to a fixed structure. These three areas work together as a flexible framework:

• Education Selection Box – providing academic support tailored to the individual
• RYTC Creatives – using creative arts to build confidence, expression and emotional wellbeing
• Give Get Go Education – creating pathways into creative careers and real-world opportunities

Helen describes this as a “jigsaw” approach.

“We all have a combination of jigsaw puzzle pieces making up who we are,” she explained. “It’s about putting the right combination together for you at that time.”

That flexibility allows her team to meet young people where they are, helping them develop both the academic foundations required by the system and the confidence and self-belief needed to move forward in life.

At the heart of this work is a clear and consistent belief.

“If you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.”

That belief underpins her Of Course You Can philosophy, which runs through everything she does.

Why the System Needs to Catch Up

A key theme throughout our conversation was how far the current education system still has to go. 

Helen speaks openly about the fact that much of the structure in place today was originally designed for a very different world, one that prioritised standardisation and routine over individuality.

“The system was set up for industrialisation,” she explained. “Work has changed. The world has changed. We need to move forward.”

While our understanding of neurodiversity, emotional regulation and different learning styles has evolved significantly, the systems themselves have not always kept pace. 

The result is that many young people are still expected to adapt to environments that were never designed with them in mind.

Helen’s approach challenges that thinking entirely.

“It’s about meeting them where they are,” she said. “Understanding them better is a positive.”

For Helen, progress is not driven by systems alone. It is built through trust, consistency and deep understanding. Her team works closely not only with young people, but also with families and schools, creating a joined-up approach that supports the whole environment around the child.

“It’s all about relationship building,” she explained. “You need to understand the person you’re working with.”

Creativity, Confidence and Real-World Skills

Creativity plays a central role in Helen’s work, not as an add-on, but as a core part of development.

Reflecting on her own experience, she shared how discovering drama changed everything for her, giving her confidence, connection and a sense of belonging that traditional education had not provided.

“It was where I found my tribe,” she said.

That same principle now underpins her creative provision, where young people are given space to express themselves, build relationships and develop real-world skills in environments that feel safe and supportive.

Importantly, this is not just about creative careers, although those pathways are very much part of the offer. It is about recognising the transferable skills that creativity develops, from communication and collaboration to problem-solving and confidence.

Why Strategic Leadership Matters

Helen’s work makes her a natural fit as sponsor of the Strategic Leader of the Year category at The Class Business Awards 2026.

Because at its core, her work is about leadership.

Not just leadership in title, but leadership in action. Leadership that challenges systems, builds new pathways and creates lasting impact.

When asked what advice she would give to business owners stepping into leadership, her response was grounded and practical.

“Find people you connect with. Learn from them. Be in the room.”

She emphasised the importance of mentorship, relationships and continuous development, highlighting that no one builds something meaningful in isolation.

“I’m a big believer in mentors,” she said. “You try things out. Sometimes things go wrong. You learn from that.”

That mindset reflects exactly what this category stands for, recognising those who create clarity, build sustainable systems and lead with long-term vision.

A Mission That Goes Beyond Education

What Helen is building goes far beyond individual programmes. It is a long-term commitment to changing how we think about education, potential and the role of support in shaping outcomes.

By focusing on strengths rather than deficits, and by creating systems that adapt to the individual rather than the other way around, she is opening up new possibilities for young people who may otherwise have been overlooked.

And perhaps that is the most powerful takeaway from this conversation.

When the right support, structure and belief are in place, potential is no longer limited by the system around it. It expands beyond it.

Or, as Helen would say:

Of course you can.

Watch the Full Interview

If this conversation resonated with you, I highly recommend watching the full interview with Helen Kenworthy, where we go deeper into her approach, her mission and what needs to change across the sector.

👉 Watch the full interview on The Class Business YouTube channel