Traditional education has long been the norm, but it comes with significant constraints. These include standardisation, a lack of personalisation, and an overemphasis on rote learning.
The Schools We Need Now looks at how to transform schools into healthy places where students can learn and thrive. Based on decades of research, discover ways to improve school mental health and crisis response, with examples from educators.
Another major flaw in traditional education is its failure to recognise diverse learning styles. Each student has unique preferences and needs, yet the one-size-fits-all model does not accommodate this variety.
As a result, many students become disengaged or struggle to grasp concepts. This oversight can lead to frustration and a lack of motivation, ultimately hindering their educational journey.
Innovative Learning Models
Project-Based Learning (PBL) stands out as a powerful method. It encourages students to work on real-world projects, promoting collaboration and critical thinking. Instead of passively absorbing information, students actively engage with the material.
This hands-on approach allows them to apply their knowledge in meaningful contexts, fostering a deeper understanding of the subject matter.
Montessori and Waldorf education systems focus on child-led learning and holistic development. In Montessori classrooms, children choose their activities, promoting independence and self-motivation.
Waldorf education, on the other hand, emphasises creativity and imagination. Both approaches respect the natural development of children, allowing them to learn at their own pace and explore their interests. This nurtures a love for learning that can last a lifetime.
Something is obviously seriously wrong with our education system when we have children often leaving not knowing how to read or write well, severe issues with bullying, many children being addicted to their phones (rather than good books) and buildings that are not just uninspiring but often downright dangerous with old cladding etc.
Small schools are a good idea (over vast ugly comprehensives) but not always possible in a country of 60 million people.
The End of Education is a book on how to change the status quo. You’ve heard of regenerative farming, well this book is about regenerative teaching! No more a case of just herding children into regimented classrooms to learn their times-tables.
Instead, we can focus on educating children about the natural world, how to live in harmony with one another and how to also live in harmony with the earth and all creatures.
This inspiring book looks at how to reimagine schools in a whole new way. We pay our taxes and have buildings with salaried teachers – so what a wonderful way to create a new generation of inspired and inspiring young adults who care.
Although Montessori schools are inspirational (children choose what to learn overseen by teachers who give them a balance of academic and creative pursuits), most schools are private and expensive. But we can still from what they do.
For instance, young children are not allowed to use computers. And despite going online much later, they have the same or better academic records, proving they are not needed so early.
And because the classrooms tend to have children of various ages (encouraging helping one another) they often graduate as kinder adults (and make good teachers themselves). One brain-puzzling thought is how one graduate from this most creative type of education turned out to quash all creativity like local bookshops (Jeff Bezos was educated at Montessori schools).
Whereas putting solar panels on roofs can be a long payback for many, schools are in prime position to help the planet both locally and globally. Schools are signing up to qualify for Eco Schools Green Flag, which is good financially too. Also choose plant-based meals for schools and caterers.
Green Teaching is a book on helping teaches to embrace ecological choices and to use nature as the location for learning, to help transform how children are taught. The author draws on international research and case studies to offer ways to transform how children are taught about environment and nature. Dr Claire Warden developed Scotland’s Auchlone Nature Kindergarten and advises Children and Nature Network.
Read food safety for people & pets. For green spaces, learn to make gardens safe for pets (includes indoor plants to avoid). Avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
Other Good Books for Green Teachers
Teaching Climate Change & Sustainability is a book to help prepare and educate young people, for a world impacted by climate change. This practical text for teachers empowers them to expand their knowledge and understanding of climate change and sustainability. It supports them to develop confidence in discussing difficult themes and to create safe learning spaces, to allow children to articulate concerns.
Schools That Heal is a book on how to design schools that are less like prisons (designed from fear of truancy and vandalism) and more like nurturing environments for learning and good mental health. Schools with access to nature, big windows and open campuses are relaxing and improve academic performance. From classroom design to outdoor space, ideas are borne from reducing natural disasters, pandemic isolation (more fresh air) and US school shootings.
Switch to Organic Cotton School Uniforms
Children spend several hours each week in school uniforms, but most brands are with Teflon coatings to make them stainproof and easy-iron. EcoOutfitters offers natural cotton alternatives that allow skin to breathe, are more comfortable in hot weather and also more suitable for children with eczema.
As they are free from polyester, they also are not supporting the fossil fuel industry. The range includes shirts, skirts, trousers and dresses (both winter pinafore and summer gingham). For socks (which contain a little elastane), launder in a microplastic catcher to stop fibres breaking off in machines, and reaching the sea).
Choose Biodegradable School Cleaning Supplies
All schools use cleaning supplies in bulk. So switch your school over to biodegradable brands like Bio-D (all their items are available unscented in bulk bottles) or Delphis Eco (which offers more industrial products like drain cleaners and urinal blocks).
Both do far less harm to the planet, and are also safer around children and teachers. Choose unscented where possible, to avoid essential oils near pregnant teachers/parents and allergies/pets/babies.
Where are England’s Most Sustainable Schools
Downe House (Berkshire) is working to become one of the most environmentally-friendly schools in England. It has won the top eco school award and has its own eco student committee. It has no plastic bottles, a crisp packet recycling scheme and only uses free-range eggs (and holds Meat Free Mondays for everyone).
Food waste is collected to make into biogas, all lighting is LED, cups are made from bamboo and they plant trees and flowers for bees. Even old uniforms are gifted to help others.
Originally founded in Charles Darwin’s former home in Kent by the 3o-year old ‘Miss Olive Willis’ who had strong ideas on how girls should be educated, today the school focuses on compassion and even helps out at local allotments. Well-known graduates are TV presenter Clare Balding, Kate Middleton (the Princess of Wales) and comedienne Miranda Hart.
Montessori schools are privately-run and teach in a very different way. Classes have children of different ages who choose what to study (overseen by teachers) rather than regimented rows of desks. ‘Play’ is real (so you would help with a broom to clean, not just pretend).
And it’s interesting that children only begin to use computers at a much later age, yet have the same or better academic records when they graduate. It also saves a fortune on energy bills, and stops children going googly-eyed from computer and phone addiction at a very young age.
