A Typical Day
Mornings
Project-based Learning
Supported by our team of coaches, mornings start with a buzz of activity as everyone greets each other. Parents are welcomed in for the first half hour of the day to connect with each other, coaches and to support with children settling into the day.
Next comes a short mindful period - this may take different forms depending on the mood of the group, such as breath-work, yoga, qi gong, meditation, stories or song.
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After this our community will join together for morning circle to discuss proposals for what to explore during the morning. These democratic meetings also create an opportunity for all to raise any issues which are important for discussions together. These meetings are chaired by children and everyone has one vote, with great care taken not to resort to a tyranny of the majority and to ensure consensus is reached.
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From then on the learners may or may not separate into smaller groups, depending on how the projects they are working on have evolved. Generally groups will be working on similar projects - whether actively engaged in projects that benefit the local community, learning about the arts, experimenting with the scientific method, or producing plays, music or art as a way to share ideas about what they've learned.
Lunch
The children will have the opportunity to help prepare cooked food for those who choose to eat it, also getting involved with preparing the space for the school community to eat together.
Clearing away afterwards is often a musical affair, to raise spirits for an otherwise less-than-exciting task.
Afternoons
Personal Choice, Group Exploration and Play
This time is free for them to spend as they choose - for some this may mean asking a coach to supervise them for a walk off-site into nearby countryside, for others it might mean games, discussions, continuing projects that they are particularly interested in, or observing a presentation from one of the coaches (or local community) about a topic requested by the children.
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Towards the end of the day the school community meets for a further circle.
This is an opportunity for any ideas, grievances, concerns, requests, suggestions etc to be discussed collectively.
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After this the community reflect on their day individually. Keeping a record of their activities, thoughts or questions if they feel drawn to make a note, or drawing, crafting, walking or simply being for a few minutes, to ready themselves for a calm transition back to family life.