Strongly advocating for putting relationships at the heart of the organisation and design of our schools for over 30 years.
Events
These are the key dates for Human Scale Education meetings, workshops and events in 2022-23. We are scheduling more dates all the time so follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up to date and find out more below.
Monday 6th March 2023
Schumacher Conference
Fifty years after the publication of E.F. Schumacher's book entitled Small is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as if People Mattered, Human Scale Education is collaborating with Canterbury Christ Church University to bring students, teachers, leaders and thinkers together from across the education sector to reflect on this important work.
Keynote speaker, Satish Kumar (peace-pilgrim, life-long activist and former monk who has been inspiring global change for over 50 years) will speak about linking Schumacher's 'Small is Beautiful' legacy with regenerative learning. Satish’s talk between 3 and 4 pm will be available as a live Teams event and can be joined here: Click here to join.
Delegates will have opportunities to reflect on the key ideas, enduring principles and relevant themes in the book, as well as asking what has changed and how do we move forward together?
To attend the conference, please email our Chairman, Dr Robin Precey at robin.precey@canterbury.ac.uk.
Saturday 20th May
Setting up a Small School or Learning Community Workshop
This full-day workshop led by Rosalyn Spencer and Jen Altamirano Smith will give participants a greater insight into what is involved in setting up a small school or learning community based on human scale values.
What are people saying about these workshops?
‘The input was really good – both prepared and in response to arising needs and interests. It was great to chat to like-minded people in the breakout room. The session was run very flexibly according to what the group wanted and everyone’s needs were met eg. explaining terminology.’
Friday 23rd June
Rethinking Education: Head, Heart, Hand
A day conference for teachers and school leaders, carers, social workers, parents and all other children’s support workers and managers- indeed, for anyone who cares about children’s wellbeing. This is a rare opportunity to be challenged and inspired by two internationally recognised leaders in the field of education, and to hear from young people themselves.
Past Events
28th - 29th January 2023
Potential Weekend: What does it mean for education to be human scale in 2022 and beyond?
This weekend mini-conference is about developing relationships for action to improve relationships in and through education.
A growing number of organisations (charities, universities, schools, parents) are advocating a major re-think/design of education in this country. The Schools Bill (2022) will still be in the consultation phase in early 2023. This bill is pushing for larger Multi-Academy Trusts with 7,000 children minimum in each. At this conference we will be bringing together the main voices to continue to share thinking and plans for the future to bring about change in state education for a more human system for people and for the environment. This 24-hour event will complete our consultation process by combining the wisdom received through the panel discussions with the aim of producing a plan for helping schools become more human scale.
Attendance by invitation.
Saturday 7th January
Setting up a Small School or Learning Community Workshop
This full-day workshop led by Rosalyn Spencer will give participants a greater insight into what is involved in setting up a small school or learning community based on human scale values.
What are people saying about these workshops?
Read on for participant feedback on previous workshops like this one.
‘Thank you to you all for yesterday. I really enjoyed the day and realising that my ideas and vision can be done. It was nice to spend the day with like minded people and listening to the individual situations. I think together we can make changes for the children of our future.’ SP
‘I was so grateful for the opportunity to attend the course and would thoroughly recommend it. It was an informal, inclusive space with plenty of opportunity to ask questions, learn from the experts and be inspired by like-minded people! DM
Saturday 3rd December
LIVE Panel Discussion 3: Agency in my environment
This is the third of three online panel discussions aiming to answer the question:
“What does it mean for education to be human scale in 2022 and beyond?”
The discussion will particularly focus on how education can provide “agency in my environment”; how schools can be places where young people feel connected to their environment and are empowered to be leaders for a better future.
The link to watch the panel discussion will be published nearer the time.
Saturday 5th November
LIVE Panel Discussion 2: Network of Relationships
This is the second of three online panel discussions aiming to answer the question:
“What does it mean for education to be human scale in 2022 and beyond?”
The discussion will particularly focus on how education can provide “networks of relationships”; how schools can be places where young people are known well and where they are able to develop trusting relationships with each other, with adults and others in their wider community.
The link to watch the panel discussion will be published nearer the time.
Saturday 1st October
LIVE Panel Discussion 1: Freedom to be Me
This was the first of three online panel discussions aiming to answer the question:
“What does it mean for education to be human scale in 2022 and beyond?”
The discussion focused on how education can provide “freedom to be me”; how schools can be welcoming places for all young people regardless of race, religion, gender, sexuality, language status, educational needs and so on. Panellists went beyond mere tolerance and explored ways in which schools can ensure that every young person feels heard and respected.