I hope that our staff blogs are giving our families an insight into the daily goings-on within our college.
Parents enrol their child/ren into our college because they want a different college experience to the “norm”. Every day I am inspired to lead a college that challenges the status quo and I also love saying, “We don’t do that at our college, but we do this instead and embrace exciting learning opportunities that come our way.”
Our educational approach is not new; project based learning happens in primary colleges, high colleges and universities around the world. Confucius and Aristotle were early advocates of learning through doing. John Dewey in the early 20th century wrote, “Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.” Maria Montessori believed that education happens “not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment”, whilst Jean Paiget emphasised the importance of building on one’s knowledge “through asking questions, investigating, interacting with others, and reflecting on these experiences.”
Our vision was to design a college that creates balance in learning, life and play whilst preparing our children for life. We value a college that creates an environment that allows students to be the best versions of themselves and really want to be at college. We also value a college that honours the relationship between the child, college life and family life.
Our aim is to take elements of best practice from around the world and incorporate them into our college. Not all content that we are required to teach can be incorporated into projects, but our students are encouraged to take a DIY attitude towards their studies. We also recognise that everyone learns differently, and there are different ways to demonstrate knowledge and skills. Our students are not entrenched in textbooks, do not copy endless notes from boards or spend countless hours doing homework on top of a college day. They are encouraged to think critically, collaborate, communicate and be creative!
Our students have the opportunity to participate in meaningful and authentic learning experiences that are relevant to lives. On a daily basis they are engaged, motivated, excited and challenged on every level. Allowing them some freedom in their classes and the opportunity to study at their own pace, they are instilled with a love for learning. As students take control of, and responsibility for that learning, they strive to achieve their best and in doing so achieve their full potential.
Full of challenges for both students and teachers, this is not always an easy path. It takes passion, self-belief, motivation and the courage to say “that’s great that happens in your college, but this is what we do in our college” to give life to this educational philosophy.
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