Bloom started with a very ordinary school morning.

It was raining.
The walk to school felt heavy.
And despite everyone’s best intentions, it just wasn’t going to happen that day.

Kate, Bloom’s founder and CEO of Gaia Learning, is also the parent of a child with SEND. That morning, she knew her daughter Poppy wanted to learn. She cared. She was trying. But the environment, the pressure and what was being asked of her simply didn’t match where she was emotionally.

What stayed with Kate wasn’t just that her daughter couldn’t go in — it was how little of that context would ever be visible to the school system.

A child’s attendance shows as “not in”.
Their learning shows as “missed”.
Their wellbeing often goes unrecorded.

But the why — the readiness, the anxiety, the small wins, the moments of engagement — is lost.

With this insight and reflection Bloom was born.

Bloom exists to help schools see that fuller picture.

If a pupil can engage for ten minutes at home, in an alternative space, or with a trusted adult — that matters. If certain approaches reduce anxiety, build confidence or support regulation — that matters. And when those insights are captured alongside learning progress, SEND plans and wellbeing indicators, schools can make better, more confident decisions.

As one headteacher put it to us:
schools don’t lack data — they lack joined-up insight.

Bloom brings learning, engagement and wellbeing together in one place, so schools and local authorities can:

• understand what’s working for a child,
• spot patterns earlier,
• evidence impact,
• and plan meaningful next steps.

Because children don’t experience school in silos — and the systems supporting them shouldn’t either.