Earth School

KindEducational offers a huge thanks to Luke Springall from Earth School who convened a special meeting in a beautiful community orchard in Wymondham, Norfolk on Tuesday 11th June to explore a new educational imaginary for our youngsters.

We were parents, early-years educators, ex-teachers and school leaders, forest school providers and other public sector workers who shared a common desire for a new model of safe, child-centred, heart-based learning immersed in nature.

As the children kept the fire going with scavenged kindling and roasted marshmallows on long whittled sticks, we shared our stories. What was clear was the diverse range of reasons why families are making the big decision to withdraw their children from mainstream schooling and seek more nourishing alternatives. Those who found themselves representing education confessed acute frustrations with a narrowing experience within a high stakes context and their determined belief that there was a better way to work with our young people.

A better way

Luke shared his experiences of progressive schools and schooling from around the globe and led the discussion on alternative models in the UK. We talked about learning communities, forest schools and the myriad experiences and opportunities offered by home schooling. We were generous and open and sometimes vulnerable in our testimonies, but all felt connected by a nascent vision of a new imaginary. As the sun dipped below the tree line, Luke drew the meeting to a close. This felt very much like the start of something important and we departed having made a pledge to meet again soon.