  |
The story of the beginning of Acorns has been widely published. It began when a small group of dedicated parents took control of their childrens primary education... all years before notions of Free Schools or the so called Big Society. When She moved to Devon with her family Sharona Parker found it was simply impossible to find a local primary school that would embrace Flexible education. Sharona only wanted her daughter to go to school for two or three days a week to enable more quality time with the family…The frustration was unbearable… It took no time to realise that if she couldn’t find a school then she would have to start one! So with the help of three other mothers she started a group that would grow into Acorns. “We wanted a more proactive, inclusive approach to education, one where parents could, if they wish, have more involvement in all aspects of their childrens education. The thought of delegating such a vital element of a child’s early life to complete strangers seemed at best curious”. Acorns does not exist to replicate, compete or replace main-stream education but to provide a more flexible education for young children. One which brings education to life, fostering a sense of wonder and crucially help children (and adults !) re-engage with nature. There was no interest in adopting superficial green measures, like bolting a couple of raised beds to the playground wall, or teaching forest school on tarmac! More a desire to deliver creative and respectful ways of engaging with nature and at least to try to make a meaningful contribution to current climate, ecological and social debates. Although very much a work/experiment in progress, Oakwood is a site where the whole environment provides an influential crucible brimming with opportunities to learn from and work with… in short an education for all. Within the woods there is a “classroom without walls”, a fire pit where children learn to use and make fire safely for cooking, providing warmth and of course to enjoy the simple magic of fire. The woods often become the classroom, where experienced teachers deliver a wide range of inspiring, creative and practical lessons. “What Acorns is trying to aspire to and help evolve can be distilled into a couple of words…Simple and kindness. By simple we mean uncomplicated, and by kindness, the extension of the notion of kin, in myriad directions, to include how, where and with whom we live.” Acorns aims to create a narrative informed around children’s education, supported by themes of low-impact living, climate challenge, sustainability and social responsibility. Crucially, it is the quality of the relationships between those involved which determine possible outcomes… “Without doubt scale plays a crucial role in framing the Acorns experience. The small class sizes enable more meaningful relationships to evolve between children, families, teachers and our environment. Here, through all seasons a child may see, and more importantly experience his or her part in various natural cycles.” With an emphasis on small/intimate class sizes there is no intention to exceed a total of 25 children. The school has three fully qualified teachers, three forest school leaders and a host of volunteers. Crucially, children make a positive choice to be here and are made aware that they do not have to stay if they are unhappy …After four years no children have left because of not enjoying the experience. “Why should any want to leave when they participate in wonderful workshops weaving many threads into a complete story…Old man willow …some > planted…some is harvested…Some woven into basket, animals and myth…Some, with fire, and alchemy turned to charcoal… from which pencils are fashioned and others draw with… Parents can choose to have real involvement in directing/influencing the childrens activities e.g. “Acorns recently visited Dartington Hall a trip organised by a parent (ex B.B.C. and Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestras) to witness a classical performance. Another parent is a medicinal herbalist who has led the children in workshops on herb lore and use. Other visitors have introduced the children to wider environmental and social issues including Coral reef conservation and Bicycology. Future plans include a series of workshops from “Rhizome Co-op” which we expect will lead to more participation by the children in planning the future direction of the school. Imagine classrooms that turns outward, both figuratively and literally. The grounds and buildings look out, gardens cover the land. Maths and science are taught as a way to understand the intricacies of nature, the potential to meet human needs and how all is connected. Children are taught to look at a flower and see all it represents; beauty, how it connects to an ecosystem, Welcome to Oakwood, and Acorns, a place where empowered families choose to take-back some ownership of how and what their children are taught. |
