Setting ideas in Stone
The ideas presented here are not set in stone. Like any good establishment a school needs to be flexible enough to adapt to the current needs of life.
Benefits:
Democratic Education
1. Students in more democratic schools were happier and felt more in control of their learning
2. If students gave feedback on teaching, this had the twin effect of teachers’ practice improving and students gaining in awareness of the learning process
3. participation enhanced skills of communication and competence as a learner
4. behaviour was improved
(Inspiring Schools: Impact and Outcomes Prof Lynn Davies, Dr Christopher Williams and Hiromi Yamashita with K Man-Hing, Aubrey)
Wouldn't it be great if your child enjoyed school so much that they wanted to stay and continue to learn? Wouldn't it be wonderful if they learnt because they wanted to and not because they were forced?
We want to create a school which is able to prepare children for the actual world we live in and one in which they can shape the world to how they see fit.
Variable Paced Learning
Children learn at different paces so it seems silly to offer an environment where everyone is forced to learn at the same pace but this is exactly what happens at most schools. Why not create a school where each child’s individual ability is taken into account and they can choose how fast or how slow to learn?
Enjoying your Education
Your interests are not the same as your neighbour's. Everyone has different likes and dislikes. This is the same with children. Why force children to learn something they don’t like? Children should decide what, when, where and most importantly why they learn. You can introduce the basics likes Maths and English to a child by focusing on something they enjoy doing.
Free to Work
How do you work best? Is it when someone is overseeing your work, looking at every aspect and imparting their opinions on how you should do it? Or is it when you are given the freedom to do what you like but your are provided with regular encouragement from those around you. .
A Supporting Environment
In order to learn effectively every child needs a supporting environment. They need assistance from teachers frequently and they need to feel listened to. Small class sizes help.
Democracy Rules
A democratic environment is one where students and teachers have equal say in the learning process. Taking responsibility for your own learning is important because ultimately you are the person most affected by this.
A Rounded Education
It is often said that the home is the place where respect and moral values are taught. School is the place where technical knowledge is taught. However why separate the two? Children should be taught important values at school by people who practise them day in day out in an environment which is conducive to these values.