Visible Learning, thoughts based on John Hattie

I came across John Hattie's book only last year, slightly late, but being hailed as the Holy Grail of teaching I thought it was definitely worth my time to read and attempt to digest.

On reading one of the introductory chapters, this section resonated with what I am hoping to achieve with the school.

"The remarkable feature of the evidence is that the biggest effects on student learning occur when teachers become learners of their own teaching, and when students become their own teachers. When students become their own teachers they exhibit the self-regulatory attributes that seem most desirable for learners (self-monitoring, self-evaluation, self-assessment, self-teaching).

With the approach of the school being so fluid and responsive to the children I believe that the teachers who work there will definitely need to be "learners of their own teaching".Working with the students to  create the best possible experiences to support their development. With this being an ever changing task the teacher will not have the opportunity to become complacent and know that they can just churn out the same lessons year on year, they will be kept on their toes. From my own experience of working this way in the Early Years, it is initially scary, but is also so much more interesting and exciting for both teacher and student, and ultimately led to much more enriching opportunities for both.

Also the students will be trusted to be "their own teachers", by this of course I don't mean they will be left on their own to get on with it, but they will encouraged to build on the independence skills, supported in the EYFS, throughout their schooling. They will be afforded the time to fully explore their ideas, to look critically at their discoveries and decide how to move forward.

I have decided that it would be a useful exercise for me to work through the findings of this book and think about how these ideas are incorporated into our proposed school, and if they are not think carefully about why not,

The book is structured around six factors:

1. the child;
2. the home;
3. the school;
4. the curricula
5. the teacher
6. the approaches to teaching

So I will follow this structure in my posts. I would love any thoughts and feedback on these musings as hopefully this will be an important learning experience for me and strengthen the school proposal.

West Newcastle Academy

Some local papers have been very kind and written articles about my efforts to try and start the school. I was really pleased when someone contacted me via an article on the YourTownWimbledon. The man who contacted me was Phil Garner, who is part of the group that has set up a free school called the West Newcastle Academy (WNA). On reading their website I was even more excited.

The school shares lots of the same values and approaches that I would like to incorporate. Phil is lovely and has kindly offered to give us the benefit of his knowledge and experience of not only setting up a free school but also of running a school.

Phil has many years' experience in teaching and leading schools, he was formerly the Head of Newcastle School for Boys. He kindly took some time out to answer a few questions on the motivation and ethos behind setting up WNA, as well as the actual process. I am sure we will find more questions to ask as we progress along this journey.

What inspired you to apply to open a free school?

I am passionate about learning and how many state schools are not providing either an appropriate

curriculum or appropriate learning and teaching styles.  I wanted to focus on Performing Arts as well as 

Personalised Learning.

Were you the main instigator? How did you build your team?

Initially I wanted to start my own Free School in Sunderland but decided to work with Kids n Us in

Newcastle to ensure a successful application.  We are now considering opening 3 or 4 more in the North East.

What are the most important aspects of your school to you?

That it serves the community, that it works with parents who want a better learning experience for their children, that it focuses on learning and ensuring children are well prepared for life.  

What did you find the hardest part of the process?

Firstly getting enough expertise and volunteers to do all the essential preparation work. Completing the

application forms and having the stamina to keep going through the various meetings, briefings, debriefings, interviews, rewrites etc.

What surprised you most about the process?

How helpful, knowledgeable and supportive the New Schools Network are. They are the biggest source of help and information for you. 

If you were to give one piece of advice to someone hoping to set up a free school what would it be?

Have a clear vision and do not be diverted from your essential beliefs about what you are 

trying to achieve.  

Introductory Meeting

So yesterday was the day of my initial meeting for parents and interested parties. I was very nervous as I didn't know if anyone was coming, I had had some people email to show interest but I had also had some saying that although they had hoped to attend they were now unable to. My unsettled feelings must have passed on to my baby who decided that me getting any sleep was a silly idea.

So we headed off early, which was a good thing as when we got to the Polka theatre, we discovered that the projector cable did not fit to my mac, small panic. Luckily my husband had was in Wimbledon with my oldest, so a quick visit to Stormfront saved the day.

Then people began to arrive, a trainee journalist and local councillor were the first, adding to my panic, then some parents arrived. Neil (my husband) was keeping the my oldest entertained outside with a light-sabre or 2, and my mum was there to help with the baby, although he did initially help me with the presentation.

Once I started talking I felt a lot less nervous, and actually really enjoyed the opportunity to share the idea. At the end of my presentation there was also a really good question and answer session, and the parents seemed really interested and engaged. I was over the moon that after the meeting all the parents expressed interest in being involved.

I am going to start a FAQ post that I will update as I get more questions and as I find out more answers. If you were unable to attend the meeting and have any questions about the schools vision please have a look at My school idea in a nutshell post, and if this doesn't help please email me at curiouserandco@icloud.com

My first meeting with the New School Network

As part of making the decision to see if I can take this school idea forward, I have contacted some people who have experience with this process. So far the education community have all been really helpful and supportive. All of the people I spoke to gave me the same advice, get in touch with the New Schools Network, which was good as I had already booked myself on to an introductory morning at their London offices.

They are the charity that support groups through the free school application process. I was really excited about the meeting.

I found my way to their offices a few minutes before the meeting was about to start. Being there on my own I must have looked slightly awkward while pouring my glass of water, so one of the NSN staff took pity on me and came to chat. All the staff are young and attractive, definitely the face of free schools.

The day started with all the visitors together and an introduction what the NSN do. It was interesting seeing the other prospective applicants, it was mainly mainstream, but there was also Alternative provision and Special school applicants there too. Also interesting that of the 5 mainstream schools, 3 were specific community oriented, Greek, Turkish and Russian.

For the rest of the session we were divided up by the type of school we were hoping to open, and then talked through the first steps of defining the schools vision, building the team and gathering evidence of demand.

It was very helpful and reassuring to know that there are people that you can go to to answer any questions that arise. I have the feeling that once you are involved in the process there will be many many questions arising!

My first meeting this Saturday

A month ago I decided to be more proactive in seeing if I can move this idea along. I feel so passionately about it that I think I would always regret not trying.

My first step is to have a meeting to share my idea with local parents and interested people. To achieve this I have had to learn a few things. I have discovered Mailchimp and created an email invite. I have started a Facebook page, this was a big step as it meant that I had to put my idea infront of all my friends and family. It's weird really that the people who care about me most felt like the scariest audience too. I have also had flyers printed and put them in public places, as well as sprung them on unsuspecting parents walking down the street. I am excited about the meeting, obviously nervous, nervous of no-one coming, nervous of lots of people coming and generally hoping I can do the idea justice.

So if I have not managed to invite you to the meeting in any of these ways please let me invite you now.

I would love you to join me at 10.30 this Saturday the 6th of April in the learning annexe at the Polka theatre.