Why this blog?

Whilst there is no denying the spectacular, innovative, caring and professional work done by thousands of education professionals across the country and the world (seriously, we salute them all!), there are many children still being left behind in education. This blog was initially inspired by those children. To bridge the gap between those who can afford private education, or tutors to coach them through the 11+ onto grammar schools, and then through their GCSEs and A Levels, versus those who have various life circumstances impinging on their early (and ultimately long-lasting) progress.

Because, evolution…

And so this blog evolved to begin a commentary (and community) interested in what it’s like growing up in this modern time, with modern psychology teaching us things which haven’t yet become common knowledge in schools and homes, as we witness technological advances at a rate faster than any living memory and while we try to navigate the impact those things are having on what we know about raising young people.

Be kind, be honest, be considered.

There are also two specific core values of mine at play in this blog – Self Expression and Compassion – the desire to have a space to express my ever-evolving views and ideas about education, and for others to have the same. Please do feel free to start or join a discussion because all views are welcome. Together with a request that we are not lazy with our words, our written tone or our intention. Be kind, considerate and tolerant always, please. For years I’ve been crippled by the magnitude of the problems that we face in trying to create the nurturing environment for children that we want to. At times I fear these posts jump about as I try to tackle the smaller tributary issues which merge into one larger current of social unfairness. Transformation is not going to come overnight so we need to break them down, discuss them and start creating gradual shifts in the way we talk about education and the way we unite behind its progress. By giving it language, by sharing the ideas on social media and by creating a community, the voices for improvements will be heard. Most teachers I speak to remain hopeful and motivated in an environment that appears designed to over-work them and tell them that they’re not good enough, so it’s worth bearing that in mind when engaging in conversations about change. We’re trying to create a space for it when teacher’s attentions are pulled in countless other directions, so when solutions seem really obvious to you, please show compassion for why they might not be implemented straight away or at all – educators are tired, under-funded and largely under-valued so let’s empower and support one another every step of the way.

Grassroots change IS possible!

For all of the thousands of hopeful teachers there are hundreds of disengaged ones, who have either been driven from the profession or are so torn between their desire to work with young people and follow their vocation, versus having a healthy work life balance or desire to go to work each morning. This blog is partly for those teachers. In solidarity. Just know that for every problem posed and every rant published, the outcome must and will always be solution-focussed. It is also for those with an interest in an education system seeking change. The parents of young people looking for ideas and understanding about how to support their child . Young people themselves who might be looking for ideas about how to make key decisions  at this stage in their life, and a wide variety of other professionals with an interest in advances in delivery, curriculum, organisation, examinations and outcomes. For those who understand that we are in a political and literal climate of change and want to be a part of developments and the wider conversation about what and who the current education system serves. This blog is a place for people to be real and for conversations to be real. Now let’s make the changes real. Elise x