Few educational initiatives have gained as much institutional respect and grassroots credibility as Mr. Andrews Online in the last ten years. When David Andrews and Chris Williams founded the platform in early 2013, their goal was surprisingly simple: to use mobile technology to empower children’s learning. However, the blog’s influence became incredibly apparent in UK classrooms as it developed into a full-fledged education consultancy.
Drawing on his experience as a teacher, David Andrews founded the platform on the idea that, when used carefully, technology can create magic in the classroom—a belief that many educators silently share but hardly ever express. His message, which focused on practical skills, struck a chord with many people, and his tone was both persuasive and personal. Teachers were connecting with a cause rather than merely clicking links.
About Mr Andrews Online
| Company Name | Mr Andrews Online Limited |
|---|---|
| Incorporated | 4 January 2013 |
| Company Number | 08346833 |
| Company Status | Liquidation (as of 21 September 2023) |
| Registered Office | 11 Clifton Moor Business Village, York, YO30 4XG |
| Founders | David Andrews and Chris Williams |
| Primary Focus | Educational support and training for schools |
| Signature Offering | Creative Computing Curriculum |
| Awards | UK Blog Awards 2014 (Impact in Education) |
| Website | http://mrandrewsonline.co.uk |
| Notable Collaborators | Outwood Grange Academies Trust, SAS Learning |
| Business Type | Private Limited Company |
Mr. Andrews Online started providing structured writing programs, video modules, and full-school training packages by introducing hands-on instruction based on real-world classroom situations. The platform’s Creative Computing Curriculum, which included more than 120 projects that were both technically sound and emotionally compelling, became a hallmark. Every project was an opportunity for the teacher, the students, and frequently both to share a story.
The curriculum was especially helpful for primary teachers who were teaching several subjects at once. Teachers had flexibility without sacrificing structure thanks to activities that matched current topics and a clear skill progression between Key Stage levels. Each project featured digital storytelling tools, design templates, video guides, and downloadable materials—a highly adaptable bundle that made a statement in a crowded market.
Mr Andrews Online became a part of a progressive school network by working with Outwood Grange Academies Trust. During rollout, one of the Trust’s main leaders, Lee Wilson, underlined an important point: technology shouldn’t be taught in a vacuum. Rather, it ought to mirror the more comprehensive account of a child’s educational path. This collaborative model demonstrated notable success, especially during its pilot phase in five academies.
The clarity of Mr Andrews Online’s mission set it apart from other generic ed-tech endeavors. The team’s goal was to facilitate transformation rather than promote products. For example, their writing improvement program was a philosophy rather than merely a set of tools. It greatly enhanced literacy outcomes, particularly for boys, by emphasizing narrative voice, oral storytelling, and the use of digital platforms like iPads to convey ideas.
The platform had a particularly significant effect on students with special education needs. Children with autism, dyslexia, and communication difficulties can benefit from the practical interventions created by David Andrews. These were experiences honed through years of classroom work, not general rules. Children who had previously found it difficult to participate started giving presentations, creating their own apps, and confidently narrating stories after speech tools and storytelling apps were incorporated into daily practice.
The “Digital APPrentice” day, a program where students created their own iPad apps based on cross-curricular themes, was one of the most strikingly successful interventions. Students learned how to create interactive content, alter icons, incorporate media, and even post their work online during this event. The transition to digital creators was both empowering and educationally rich for kids used to passively consuming content.
Mr. Andrews Online’s strategy was consistently solution-oriented. Given the rising stress levels among teachers and the escalating difficulties faced by SEND students, its training modules provided teachers with practical strategies they could put into practice the very next day. Teachers’ feedback often emphasized how these sessions brought clarity and purpose back in a time of swift policy changes and resource reductions.
However, in September 2023, the business quietly went into liquidation despite its practical success and loyal customer base. Naturally, industry watchers were taken aback. Despite its value, the company’s niche struggled to stay financially viable in the face of growing software giants and tighter school budgets. Despite being disappointing, the closure did not diminish the significance of its contributions.
More ed-tech platforms have tried to copy the model that Mr. Andrews Online pioneered in recent years. Many of these, like the lesson-plan libraries provided by Twinkl or the AI-integrated learning tools currently included in Google for Education, subtly reference the narrative-driven and participatory learning philosophy that Andrews promoted.
Mr. Andrews Online changed how teachers teach and how kids perceive learning by utilizing mobile technology, storytelling, and a thorough understanding of educational psychology. A generation of students felt seen and heard because of the emphasis on voice over rote performance and creativity over conformity.
The platform’s ability to connect educators is still very novel. Teachers were influencing content rather than just receiving it thanks to forums, peer review spaces, and cooperative resource sharing. This extremely effective and incredibly human level of involvement made it possible for best practices to spread throughout communities, schools, and even nations.
