Pedagogy, dictionary defined, is the study of how to teach. This is very important, as bad teaching can be harmful to a child's development. Despite this, many charities, NGOs and government overlook this as part of the process of building a school, or at least have opinions of it that are so polar to ours that it appears that way!

An example of how teaching can be damaging is punishment. If a child is punished for getting something wrong he or she may be less inclined to try something new, for fear of 'failing' and being punished for doing so. If we don't try new things we can't learn new things, so the teacher's actions in this example have acted to inhibit the child's learning, not promote it.

Pedagogy is a focal point of Educate for Life - it's no good to just build a school, put teachers in it and pat your self on the back for a job well done, you've got to make sure it is providing the right things to the right people. We don't know all there is to know but, like learning itself, it is better to have consideration then imperfect practical action rather than perfect theory. We strive constantly to improve the quality of the teaching and learning environment at our schools; with an open mind and commitment to continue learning ourselves as well as teaching others, together we can continue to advance ourselves.

Our pedagogy is focused on informal, project-based learning. The children are allowed to talk and move around inside and outside the classroom and everyone, children and adults alike, are treated as equals. We don't expect the children to do something because they are told to but instead because we have a relationship of mutual trust and respect. The children are encouraged to engage in all aspects of the school, taking control of their own learning and shaping their environment through such things as redesigning the school menu or helping build new classrooms. Our schools aren't palces where people come to be taught,  people come together to share and learn from each other.

Read below about some of the concepts of our evolving pedagogy.

Creativity

Without creativity in the school, learning, and thus future application of what is learnt, can be stunted...

Initiative

Children typically learn many things at school, but without the ability to work under their own steam, the potential generated is far less that what is possible...

Fear-free learning

The fear of coming to school or of failing holds children back from learning to their greatest ability...

Diversity

With a diverse learning environment there are more opportunities for a child to do somthing they are good at. This, amoung other things, boost confidence and helps them learn other things too...