It’s important to me to sometimes shut out the political noise and just track the coalface of what we do at NWB alternative provision.
I consider myself knowledgeable in education. A qualified teacher. Celebrating 35 years actually- eek!
I’ve survived 20 education secretaries- from Kenneth Clarke (1990-1992) , David Blunkett (1997-2001),Ed Balls (2007-2010) Michael Gove (2010-2014)- Damian Hinds-(Our present Hampshire MP, 2018-2019) Now Bridget Phillipson!
I was part of the new revised National Curriculum in 2014.
I’ve been a headteacher and Head of Service for a group of schools and children homes. Worked in LA, Primary, Secondary, Independent and overseas. But really found my vocation in SEN.
Now I have the greatest joy working alongside the Rotherfield Estate where we have an education setting based around nature, hands on experience, community and creativity.
However I keep questioning the system. I try using what I know instinctively and what I know through experience.
What is learning? When we say knowledge, what is useful? Meaningful?
In our day to day activities what learning is matched to a curriculum in a mainstream setting? What gaps are we plugging? Are we doing the right thing to help disengaged school refusers to access and are we doing the right thing for children not managing in mainstream.
What matters at the heart of learning and how do we re-engage?
What matters in childhood? What will matter in adulthood?
So many questions but most importantly- Why does it matter? So what?
So this week, I spent time tracking 2 young people that do not attend school, one excluded and the other an emotional base non attender .
Here is their time in pictures? What are your thoughts?
Ps. Can only have children and young people for 4 hours daily as not allowed full time hours as we are an AP!
