Introduction to Jam Coding Franchise Owner Matt Davies
When people ask Matt Davies why he became a Jam Coding franchise owner, his answer isn’t about market size, growth projections, or return on investment. It starts with his son. Matt is an educator by background and a parent to a neurodivergent child with autism and ADHD. Like many parents of neurodivergent children, he knew first-hand how difficult it can be to find extracurricular activities that genuinely work.
Understanding the Challenges Faced by Neurodivergent Children
His son loves sports, but not the pressure that often comes with it. Being watched. Being judged. Being part of large groups where attention is always on you. Traditional clubs, even well-meaning ones, simply weren’t designed with children like his son in mind. Matt began asking a simple but powerful question: “What kind of club would my child be happy being part of?” That question stayed with him.
Seeing the Bigger Picture in Education
Through his work in education, Matt had already been questioning the wider system. While lecturing at Loughborough University, he became increasingly interested in the business side of education, even exploring how student dissertations could be turned into real-world enterprises. Later, he took that curiosity further by opening a small toy shop business. It became a practical learning ground, helping him understand entrepreneurship from the inside while reinforcing a deeper concern: young people were being pushed through education “on a conveyor belt,” often emerging with degrees but without the practical, adaptable skills needed for the future.
Why Jam Coding Made Sense for Matt
What stood out immediately was how naturally Jam Coding aligned with what Matt was already seeing in his own home. Neurodivergent children often love digital environments. Video games, in particular, allow them to hyperfocus, feel in control, and engage deeply without social pressure. Jam Coding takes that natural interest and turns it into something powerful, using platforms like Minecraft Education to develop real, transferable life skills in a structured, safe, and inclusive way. For Matt, it felt right. Jam Coding wasn’t just teaching coding; it was delivering life skills to the next generation of digital citizens.
Growth and Impact of Jam Coding Derby & Loughborough
Matt began his Jam Coding journey around Christmas, officially launching Jam Coding Derby & Loughborough just after Easter 2025. Like many franchise owners, he started hands-on, delivering sessions himself, learning the programme inside out, and building relationships with schools and parents. He launched with one after-school club in a large three-form entry school. Demand grew quickly. That one club became three. Then more schools followed. Growth came so fast that Matt found himself needing to recruit staff simply to keep up. In the last half term alone, he doubled the number of clubs he runs.
A Business That Grows With You
As his franchise grew, Matt made a decision many Jam Coding owners eventually face. He started by delivering sessions himself because he cared deeply about the experience and wanted to do it well. But as demand increased, he recognised that to grow sustainably, he needed to step back and build a team. This natural transition, from hands-on coach to business owner, is something Jam Coding actively supports. Matt’s journey is a perfect example of how franchise owners can evolve their role as their business grows without losing sight of why they started.
A Community First Approach
One of the things Matt values most about Jam Coding is its ability to integrate into the heart of a community. By running Saturday clubs in community centres, collaborating with local organisations, and supporting shared spaces, Jam Coding Derby & Loughborough has become more than an extracurricular activity; it’s a trusted local presence. This community-first approach benefits everyone: children, families, schools, and franchise owners alike.
Is This the Kind of Journey You’re Looking For?
Matt didn’t become a Jam Coding franchise owner because he wanted to “buy a business.” He did it because he saw a problem worth solving; for his son, for other children, and for the future of education. If you’re an educator, a parent, or someone who believes children deserve better preparation for the future, then Jam Coding might be the right next step for you. To learn more about Matt’s journey and how you can start your own, visit Here
