#EYP2CTW
I was so inspired by the 2016 conference that I decided to
write a new style of PSHE to address the issue of empowering young people to
change the world. I was delighted to be asked by @RWBAHolocaust to run a workshop this year. The small question I
posed to delegates was if the future of humanity lies in our hands as educators
– what would you teach in 21st Century Global Citizenship? The idea
of what ingredients we need to help students flourish in a curriculum and
values we wish to have in our educational environment was a topic which
repeated during the day in other speakers’ sessions. Like last year, I came
away with sheets of questions. Now I need to consider my answers to them.
@RWBAHolocaust began the day with a leading question. What
are the obstacles to empowering young people to change the world? As a leader
of learning do teachers consider those obstacles and seek to teach students the
skills they need to deal with 21st and 22nd Century
obstacles to them flourishing in life?
I have seen the amazing work being carried out by the new
Venturers’ Academy in Bristol on the local news and was not disappointed by Trystan
Williams’ presentation with Richard Lang. Where everything’s possible! What a
school motto, vision and ethos! Trystan reminded us that you can’t empower
people unless you trust them. In Sweden all 16 year olds sit exams which are
marked internally. Trust is part of the education system. Trust enables
students to flourish. Trust enable students to be that innovative thinker.
Trust enables room to grow in an education system for all stake holders.
Trystan firmly believes that it’s the way you make people feel that lets people
flourish. By having values in education such as empathy and kindness the world
is a simpler place to live in.
@VenturersAc is
unlocking potential in learners. We saw the impact of music therapy in helping
a student find their voice. A student who had not been speaking has been helped
to realise that everything is possible.
Where we see NHS mental health provision being cut Venturers Academy are
running mental health provision with the NHS through schools. However are all
schools moving with the times? We saw a picture of a Victorian classroom and a
modern classroom. Have we moved on as educators? Are we writing a curriculum
with vulnerable leaders’ needs at the heart of it? Do we see poor behaviour as
our school not meeting the child’s needs? Can we see past labels and push
people to exceed the expected outcomes?
If learning ambition and self-confidence can often only be
taught outside the classroom do we have a plan for experiences our students are
going to have during their time at our schools? Trystan talked about his
experiences in the world’s highest classroom, the world’s coldest classroom and
is planning his next adventure. He even asked for people interested in
participating in a sailing classroom. Forward thinking and imaginative
educators who think beyond the traditional curriculum can empower young people
to move beyond labels. So I’m off to make sure I hold the idea of where
everything’s possible for all learners I meet.
@PSHESolutions
John Rees presented last year and a talk on SMSC in a post-truth world seemed
like a topical presentation this year too. John posed another leading question.
Are students actively engaged within their local community? When we get
spiritual, moral, social and cultural education correct then attendance,
attainment and progress rise. Students and staff are encouraged to engage in
school life and become involved in the community.
How does our curriculum support a customer facing world? Are
we providing students with the skills they need to deal with people? Are we
providing lessons on stress management? Are we looking at high performing PISA
countries such as Singapore to look at the work they are doing with regard to
Character Education?
Children need roots and wings! If we provide academic roots
to let them fly to university and life-long learning can we say the same for
their social skills or their values?
@paulday30 ran a
workshop on leadership. Would you follow you? This is a great question at any
point in your teaching career. Although I kept thinking of Spartacus I did find
the fill in the blank activity really powerful.
Leadership is ____________________
Leaders are _____________________
We are _________________________
I am ___________________________
Now I really want to try it with middle leaders, aspirant senior
leaders and even initial teacher trainees.
@aprenderuk Phil
Hawkins shared his experiences of working in Brazil. By working in a different
culture there are lots of lessons we can learn. As educators we know that
reflection is an important part of teaching as it helps us consider what
creates success. What is our successful outcome from education? Intelligence
and character are the goals of true education. We have a responsibility to grow
responsible students. How do we build bridges between the groups we have in our
school community? Sports stars, musicians, scientists, artists, pupil premium,
most able etc etc. Do we build bridges using values, relational education,
sharing inter-cultural dimensions? How do we build real versus virtual
relationships?
I am interested in exploring the idea of explanation and respectful
discussion on how breaking rules affects those around you which builds
empathetic responses as adults.
#EYP2CTW is an
inspiring event. I haven’t even mentioned connections I made. If @RWBAHolocaust
runs this event in 2018 I urge you to book!
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