Our projects
StoneMind Education CIC delivers structured stone carving, conservation and sculpture programmes for schools, alternative provision and community partners.
As a Community Interest Company, our educational and funded work is designed around clear community benefit.
We specialise in working with young people across SEND, SEMH, alternative provision and NEET cohorts. Staged practical learning enables participants to progress from accessible making into technical heritage skills, including relief and letter carving, stone repair, mould making, casting and sculpture. Maths and English are woven naturally throughout.
Our work includes regular school provision, heritage restoration and community art projects.
Programmes can support recognised outcomes and progression into further training and employment while developing practical skill, focus and confidence.
Our projects have been successfully piloted in SEND and SEMH settings, with consistently positive feedback from staff and learners. References are available on request.
Soap carving
Participants begin by carving organic forms such as animals, flowers, and abstract shapes from soap.
This introduces the core principles of carving, including controlled material removal, shaping, and refinement, using safe and forgiving materials.
The process closely mirrors working in stone, allowing participants to build confidence without the pressure of irreversible mistakes.
Outcomes include increased engagement, improved hand control, and an early sense of success that supports continued participation.
Free carving
Participants progress to carving in breezeblock, a material that sits between soap and stone, allowing a gradual transition toward working with harder materials.
Rather than starting with a fixed design, participants are encouraged to allow forms to emerge from the surface. This keeps the process low-demand and exploratory, reducing pressure while developing observation, intuition, and confidence in decision-making.
The material provides enough resistance to introduce more traditional carving techniques, while remaining accessible and manageable.
Outcomes include improved focus, increased resilience, and a growing ability to shape and refine forms with intention
Heritage carving
Participants design and carve a Tudor rose, introducing a more structured and technical approach rooted in traditional craft.
The project begins with geometric setting out, including symmetry, division, and proportion.
Participants then rough out and refine their carving using traditional masonry approaches.
This project can be delivered in breezeblock or soapstone, depending on the participant’s confidence and dexterity, ensuring accessibility while still providing appropriate challenge.
It integrates maths, history, and craft, offering insight into architectural carving and heritage skills.
Outcomes include high levels of focus, problem-solving, and exposure to potential pathways within heritage and restoration industries.
Progression and development
Participants begin with accessible, closely supported projects before progressing to more independent and technically demanding work. As confidence grows, they learn to plan, measure, select tools, solve problems and complete work to a high standard, developing focus, resilience and practical judgement alongside specialist skills.
Longer programmes can include heritage repair, letter cutting, relief carving, mould making, casting and clay or wax modelling.
Work can be documented through individual portfolios, supporting recognised outcomes and progression into further training or employment.
Testimonials
Sessions were always well planned, well structured, calm and safely managed. I observed strong engagement from students and genuine excitement. Sessions were pitched at the right level and adapted to student's ability. Tom's passion and expertise inspired learners and enabled them to try a new experience. I would confidently recommend Stonemind Education as a suitable provision for SEN schools.
Head of Design & Technology, Sussex SEND/SEMH school
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