tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050369312201897243.post8038224041342260651..comments2024-01-16T12:49:24.568+00:00Comments on Question the Powerful: The Loneliness of the Long Distance TeacherHenry Benedict Tamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15317153382084185304noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050369312201897243.post-82738326431740933272013-09-06T22:08:09.288+01:002013-09-06T22:08:09.288+01:00For the last four years I have been involved in se...For the last four years I have been involved in setting up a 'free' school, in the town where I live, Swanage in Dorset. In 2009, Dorset County Council decided to move from a three tier to two tier system of schools on the Isle of Purbeck, which saw Swanage Middle School close in July. This would have left the town without any secondary educational provision, as all children aged 11+ would have travelled at least 10 miles to school elsewhere. However, the opening of The Swanage School, has enabled children and young people to be educated 'at home', in their own community. Some people have questioned the need for a school in Swanage merely 'for the sake of a bus ride', however, they are missing the point... if we are to educate our young people to have 'whole' lives and positive experiences of life, I believe they are best educated in their home communities, in the mix of the people they live with and grow up with. Our new school, The Swanage School, opened this week. We have a 'human scale' and cooperative ethos, where relationships are at the heart of learning and the school is at the heart of the community. Our ambition goes beyond the target driven, hoop jumping exam results process (although we believe qualifications are important too), it aims for a type of education that 'expands horizons' - extending experiences beyond the conventional classroom to the community and environment in which children live. Yesterday the students and staff at The Swanage School went coasteering; jumping into the sea from Dancing Ledge, a beautiful location about a mile from their school. They explored the nooks and crannies of the Jurrassic coastline and swam with a curious seal! Some of them had never been to Dancing Ledge before, or even put on a wet suit, despite living within walking distance of the sea. To me, education is whole when it encompasses the essential parts of life - place (community), values (we have 'The Swanage School Way, e.g. opening doors for each other) and ambition (having purpose...). Exams might be part of this, but they certainly are not the whole.Helen O'Connorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15404441647283865089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050369312201897243.post-30702010127880516192013-09-03T13:09:34.602+01:002013-09-03T13:09:34.602+01:00Thanks Ann, a very apt illustration indeed: https:...Thanks Ann, a very apt illustration indeed: https://twitter.com/AnnWalkerWEA/status/374584061336883200/photo/1 <br />Wonder if anyone knows who drew it.Henry Benedict Tamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15317153382084185304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050369312201897243.post-36111652170767902332013-09-03T11:40:57.816+01:002013-09-03T11:40:57.816+01:00Thanks for this post. As an adult educator, my ent...Thanks for this post. As an adult educator, my entire professional life is devoted to breaking through the privileged charm of the chosen ones. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050369312201897243.post-84792645980166227032013-09-02T18:36:12.583+01:002013-09-02T18:36:12.583+01:00Thanks for inviting comment Henry.
Your blog brou...Thanks for inviting comment Henry.<br /><br />Your blog brought this cartoon to mind - pic.twitter.com/eLA5r1jbFX. I think you'll have to copy and paste the link in your browser<br /><br />I don't know the source and am willing to acknowledge it, but it illustrates your point very visually.<br /><br />Ann Walker (WEA)<br />@AnnWalkerWEAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050369312201897243.post-80802108572253985842013-09-02T18:00:06.203+01:002013-09-02T18:00:06.203+01:00I don't think the problem is just that schools...I don't think the problem is just that schools seem to be exam and test factories in contemporary society. I also feel that there are problems with regard to how children are perceived ie. as 'citizens in waiting', who are limited in what they are 'allowed' to voice their views about. If children and young people were truly listened to and included in the development of their own education, where the wasn't a centrally controlled curriculum and much more democracy in schools it might not be necessary for teachers to resort to carrot and stick approaches to 'encourage' children to learn. Having said this, all children are different and with this in mind it would seem appropriate that there be more real choices in types of schools and the types of education they offer, funded through the state.@SuitableEdhttp://www.suitableeducation.co.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1050369312201897243.post-88111620671300231542013-09-01T17:51:22.901+01:002013-09-01T17:51:22.901+01:00Absolutely wonderful. It is essential that these s...Absolutely wonderful. It is essential that these sentiments are stated as boldly and clearly as this, wherever possible.<br /><br />The last paragraph - in particular, leaves us with a superb vision of what is required.Woodman59https://www.blogger.com/profile/10055962438888256088noreply@blogger.com