Hi Hanna,

My son has recently started to attend The Learning Circle online a few days a week (he's still trying attend his regular school when he can be it's becoming increasingly difficult). The Learning Circle is an online democratic school with amazing teachers, a supportive community and exactly the ethos I would have if I was designing my own school. This experience has shown me how the education system could be. In mainstream schools there are some fantastic teachers but many tell me how they are constrained by an outdated curriculum and system. My son is in Year 6 and despite being quite bright, he finds the work too challenging, the topics boring and the focus on learning for SATs uninspiring. 

I believe that most parents want their children to embrace their uniqueness, follow their passions and develop a love of learning. We nurture and encourage our children; we build them up to be their true selves and confident in who they are. But then, BOOM! ...the education system knocks them right down!

I was thinking this week about some inspiring quotes I've heard. Things like, "don’t follow where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path, and leave a trail”. This is the kind of message I live by and I'd like my children to follow. However, I feel that the current education system contradicts these inspiring messages and tells children a different story. At the end of this email you can see some visuals I've put together comparing inspiring quotes with the messages the education system tends to send (you might have to click somewhere to allow images to be shown in this email).

There are some schools and of course home education that offers a different way but this is for the minority of children. There are far too many children like my son who are out of school or struggling to attend. The frustrating thing is that they would not only be fine under a different system, they would likely actually thrive! Imagine a future where ALL children...

⭐Direct their own learning at their own pace

⭐Follow their passions

⭐Are celebrated for their unique skills

⭐Thrive as a member of a community

⭐Develop confidence and leadership skills

⭐Learn how to think critically

⭐Develop a life long love of learning

I usually keep my musings and thoughts just for you as a newsletter subscriber but I'm going to share some of this in a social media post tonight as I think it's so important to get people talking about the big changes that need to happen in Education. Please do share. I'm here on Facebook and here on Instagram - thank you!

Hanna

I'm now able to support families online - reply to this email for more info 😊