Abbey, Teacher, Somerset
My stories
My School Story
As a learner, I had many struggles. I was lucky enough to thrive during Primary School thanks to small class sizes and amazing teachers but secondary school was anxiety inducing and there was too much pressure to conform to an unrealistic standard for me.
It was later in my university study (again small class sizes compared to others and dedicated lecturers) who helped me discover my extensive learning difficulties.
I trained and studied hard to be a passionate and dedicated educator and worked hard with a specialist teacher training provider. I only spent 2 years working in a mainstream primary school and my passion was burned out of me. I saw children being disheartened because I was made to enforce ridiculous expectations and rules like sitting with their legs crossed for 30 mins or being told I cannot decorate my room in a way that I thought celebrated all learning successes. I was constantly being told how awful of a teacher I was being (more professionally mind). Yet, other professionals, my private tuition students and my current home edders who attend my sessions have shown me that actually, given the freedom to learn how we as a community chooses, I am a good teacher.
Starting this journey of supporting home educators through exploratory learning has awakened my passion again! Showing us all that learning can be and should be flexible and adaptable to all. Not all being moulded into some governed definition of perfect.
It was later in my university study (again small class sizes compared to others and dedicated lecturers) who helped me discover my extensive learning difficulties.
I trained and studied hard to be a passionate and dedicated educator and worked hard with a specialist teacher training provider. I only spent 2 years working in a mainstream primary school and my passion was burned out of me. I saw children being disheartened because I was made to enforce ridiculous expectations and rules like sitting with their legs crossed for 30 mins or being told I cannot decorate my room in a way that I thought celebrated all learning successes. I was constantly being told how awful of a teacher I was being (more professionally mind). Yet, other professionals, my private tuition students and my current home edders who attend my sessions have shown me that actually, given the freedom to learn how we as a community chooses, I am a good teacher.
Starting this journey of supporting home educators through exploratory learning has awakened my passion again! Showing us all that learning can be and should be flexible and adaptable to all. Not all being moulded into some governed definition of perfect.
How I think schools could be better.
Genuine inclusiveness.
Smaller classes with a more intimate and nurturing environment.
Opening up the curriculum to learn more important concepts and skills. Such as sustainability, life skills etc but continuously not just one unit in 12+ years of education.
Space to have fun, play and explore natural curiosity at all ages! Including our teens!
Creating a sense of community again - children and young people are becoming more and more subject to vicious relationships with themselves and others. We need to teach each other to love and be kind again. To support each other and be supported.
Smaller classes with a more intimate and nurturing environment.
Opening up the curriculum to learn more important concepts and skills. Such as sustainability, life skills etc but continuously not just one unit in 12+ years of education.
Space to have fun, play and explore natural curiosity at all ages! Including our teens!
Creating a sense of community again - children and young people are becoming more and more subject to vicious relationships with themselves and others. We need to teach each other to love and be kind again. To support each other and be supported.