National Saturday Club
Neuro-Inclusive Tutor Essentials
In October 2025 at Thinktank Birmingham, Divergent Thinking ran a 90-minute CPD workshop for 70 National Saturday Club tutors, turning real challenges into simple, practical strategies.
The Challenge
Client
National Saturday Club- a UK-wide network run by
universities, colleges, museums, and arts organisations.
Need
Turn lived tutor scenarios into simple, immediately usable habits. Address attention, sensory needs, and group dynamics.
Audience
70 tutors attending the annual Tutors' Conference,
working with young people in creative Saturday programmes.
Goal
Create inclusive spaces where every young person feels safe, comfortable, and inspired.
Our Approach
1. Co-Design
The agenda was created using seven real scenarios shared by the Tutors Advisory Group, directly reflecting the challenges tutors face.
2. Format
The session included a short grounding activity, interactive discussions for each scenario, quick practice using an “adjustment menu,” and a focused Q&A.
3. Participation
There were 44 responses in the live polls (Mentimeter), with 57% of people taking part. 6 questions were submitted during the session.
4. Safety & norms
We agreed simple check-in words to guide the tone: 'safe', 'comfortable', 'included', 'inspired'.
What we created together
1. Club Charter
There were clear rules for turn-taking and fairness. "Tap-out" cards were used as a silent signal for a short break. Headphones were also allowed.
2. Baseline Support Menu
The agenda was visible with options to choose from. Written and visual follow-ups were provided. Movement breaks and a quiet space were available on request. These were open to everyone, with no diagnosis needed.
3. Feedback Mini-Protocol
Describe what you saw or heard, without labelling it. Then, offer a kind suggestion for why it might be happening and explain the impact. Finally, agree on the next step to take.
Scenarios We Solved in Practice
Weekend attention needs
Agree on seating that supports focus. Use short, timed work sprints
Arriving with anxiety
Offer staggered arrivals
Keep a predictable start routine
Dominant "Comedian"
Use fair turn-taking
Redirect to a positive role
Travel stress (public transport)
Share visual travel guides
Allow arrival buffer time
Family concerns
Hold a short online pre-meet
Share clear what/where/when info
New Joiner Shifts Dynamics
Run a quick Start-Stop-Continue reset Buddy the new joiner
Impact & Outcomes
90
Minutes
​
Focused, in-person CPD delivered as scoped
70
Tutors
​
Engaged across universities,
colleges, museums, arts
organisations
44
Responses
Active participation via
Mentimeter polls
57%
Poll Engagement
Strong interaction throughout
session
Most clubs felt they were improving from intentional practice to embedded practice. The main challenge they identified was noise, followed by crowding and temperature. Tutors preferred a “show then do” teaching style. There was strong agreement that basic support should be available to everyone, not based on a diagnosis.
What NSC Said
"Thank you so much for leading such a valuable and engaging session. Your approach and the content were really well aligned with our audience... tutors found the session very helpful and informative."
- Toria Brook-Hill, National Saturday Club (email, 24 Oct 2025)
Resources delivered
Slide Deck
Complete CPD session materials with practical frameworks and guidance
Neuro-Inclusive Tutor Checklist
One-page reference for immediate classroom application
Club Charter starting point
Customisable template for establishing group agreements