Getting onto a better education track
Here at the Human Values Foundation (HVF) we have started a community blog series. We are asking Members and Friends of the HVF to share a story about one of their experiences related to the HVF and how it demonstrates the life-enriching potential of living our values.
Next in our series is a piece that calls for an ambitious, radical reset of education. This story is from the Human Values Foundation CEO, Rosemary Dewan. For Rosemary this story captures the values of Responsibility and Team Work.
An examination of Britain’s education system
Prior to the pandemic outbreak, it was felt that the education system was failing many young people. Stakeholders were concerned about the intense focus on academic outcomes at the expense of the more rounded development of young citizens.
In June 2021, Sir Anthony Seldon, the Education Advisor for the Human Values Foundation, suggested that an education commission be set up to examine Britain’s whole education system and consider its future in the light of the Covid-19 crisis, declining social mobility, new technologies and the changing nature of work.
A broad enquiry followed into what was happening from early years through to tertiary education and provision for lifelong learning. The report was published in June 2022: BRINGING OUT THE BEST – How to transform education and unleash the potential of every child.
In the foreword by the HVF’s Patron, Sir Michael Morpurgo, he says it’s time to think again and do better for all our children. As a former teacher, he knows that education is for opening eyes, minds and hearts. He is keen for children to have the education opportunities to live life to the full, for themselves, for one another, for all of us on this planet. Indeed, when he became our Patron in 2011, he was pleased to be able to support what he considered is our “remarkable and vital work” to advance the quality and effectiveness of teaching and learning.
A New Education Story
In December 2021 ‘A New Education Story’ was published as the result of global research since 2017 led by Big Change. Partners included OECD, Teach for All, HundrED and RewirED. They make the case for transformation, reimagining education with and for young people. The contributors proposed three drivers to shift the purpose of education (goals and outcomes), expand power (who has a voice and agency) and encourage effective practice (unlocking innovation).
What is so encouraging for us is that our philosophy for holistic education, with a strong focus on the human touch, values literacy, building character and equipping children with key social and emotional life skills, chimes well with the new direction education is taking. In June 2022, HundrED shortlisted our programme THE BIG THINK, as they seek out innovative, world-class resources for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
Teamwork is key to the way forward
The upheaval as a result of the COVID-19 crisis has affected children’s learning, socioemotional wellbeing and put unprecedented strains on staff and parents.
Enormous challenges lie ahead in the coming academic year. School leaders will need to determine how best to invest time, money and resources to not only make up for lost ground but also plan for education in our fast changing world.
We believe THE BIG THINK programme and the training we offer will provide a structured, supportive route map for children aged 5 to 11, their teachers, parents and carers. Its collaborative, dialogic approach promotes teamwork and will help to meld the efforts of key adults at home and in school in the best interests of the children.
We anticipate continuing to advance teachers’ professional expertise and confidence in handling their pupils’ development of spiritual, physical, intellectual, social and emotional competencies. The Big Think’s carefully designed lesson packs will ensure children have a constant flow of opportunities and tasks to practise and apply new skills. The inclusive culture will make it easier for schools to work in partnership with parents and carers so that children feel secure. This is conducive to them being able to concentrate on doing their very best and mastering attitudes, skills, knowledge and values so they can flourish, fulfil their potential and grow into well rounded human beings.
This programme lays solid, practical foundations for whole-school supportive relationships in Primary schools so that from the start of the 2022/23 academic year, the dial is systematically moved forward. As teachers’ professional development is advanced, informed teamwork unleashes the true potential of every child.