Reading 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' in the woods
Hunting for fossils at the beach
Learning about ancient cultures in museums and with experts
Our Ethos
Part school - part forest school - part scouting - part scientific research team - part language school - part programmers - part community action group - part wildlife group - part wellbeing retreat - part family day out - part walking group - part explorers ......
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100% Pod Micro School
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There are many ways that children learn, however we only have one model of schooling in the UK. As a former headteacher, I have taught numerous children and often found that the best learning happened outside of the classroom when learning was given a context with which to expand on a child's knowledge.
Pod Micro School is an inclusive educator who nurtures each child to achieve their full potential and unlock a world full of adventure and new opportunities.
Following the Pandemic and the rise of Home Learning, we wanted to offer an alternative for children who would benefit from a different way of learning, with an engaging curriculum built on deep learning rather than the National Curriculum, which is often described as being a mile wide but an inch deep.
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We pride ourselves on our NEST ethos:
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Nurture:
Small classes
A calm learning environment
A patient teacher who gives lots of support
Inclusive learning for all
Bundles of fresh air
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Experience:
We work with local experts and professionals to support learning
Learning experiences that enable children to make links with their knowledge and strengthen learning
We make use of the amazing resources on our doorstep: beaches, woodland, historic villages, Bristol, hills...
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Service:
Our learning has a purpose and serves our local community, this motivates children to do their best.
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Twenty-first Century Skills:
We focus on the learning that can be pushed out of the curriculum in some schools; science, computing, art, languages and everything in between.
Further Reading
We are driven by several two key educational texts; 'An Ethic of Excellence' by Ron Berger and the 'The Learning Rainforest' by Tom Sherrington.
An Ethic of Excellence describes the craft of learning and the importance of children understanding what quality looks like and drafting their work until it becomes excellent and ready for some form of public presentation.
The Learning Rainforest talks about learning being built upon solid roots of knowledge which are extended before developing and extending the learning. This can also be described as direct teaching and experiential learning. We can do direct teaching quickly and effectively given our small classes and bespoke learning, this gives a greater opportunity for deep learning derived from rich learning experiences and purposeful problems.
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Micro Schools
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Micro schools or learning pods are growing in popularity in the United States and are gradually becoming more common in the UK in the wake of the Covid pandemic and parents searching for education alternatives.
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In general, micro schools offer small classes and a bespoke curriculum. They allow educators and parents to give their children an educational experience that is more attuned to their interests and how they want their child to develop.
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The current UK education system is heavily skewed towards the needs of Ofsted, SATS and the resources of the school. In many ways, schools are trapped in this cycle of constantly proving that they are meeting the guidelines of these organisations, sometimes at the expense of the children in their care. For example, children may miss art lessons because they are having extra maths in order to prepare them for SATS. By moving outside of the school system, we are able to pioneer a new way of learning and education.
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Why have a new type of education? Valerie Hannon Video
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Is the UK in need of a Micro School Revolution? Article
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EEF Report on Interventions that have the greatest impact on learning
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How It Works
School Day
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9.30 - 10.00: Arrival and registration
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Personal learning and feedback
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Mindfulness activities
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Retrieval activities
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10.00 - 14.00: Core Learning
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Daily Maths Session
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Reading Session
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Project Session
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Outdoor activity
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Lunch and snack time built into day
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14.00 - 14.30: Pick Up
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Review of day's learning
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Extension activities
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Mindfulness activities
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Personal Learning and Feedback
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Term Dates
We operate on a calendar year basis with our terms mirroring local school dates. We are closed on bank holidays and will be closed on INSET days when we have training, these will be communicated well in advance.
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2022
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August 5th - August 31st: Summer Holiday
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Term 5:
Monday 5th September 2022 - Friday 21st October 2022 (7 weeks)
Term 6:
Monday 31st October 2022 - Friday 16th December (7 weeks)
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2023
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Term 1:
Monday 2nd January - Friday 10th February
Term 2:
Monday 20th January - Friday 31st March
Term 3:
Monday 17th April - Friday 26th May
Term 4:
Monday 5th June - Friday 21st July
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In addition to these dates, we may also run Holiday Clubs during school holiday times.
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Uniform
We do not have a uniform, although we encourage our children to dress appropriately depending on the activity and/or weather.
All children should have a bag with appropriate items for the day ahead.
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Location
We are based in Congresbury, North Somerset.
Lunch
Children need to bring their own lunch, snacks and water which can be consumed throughout the day. There will not be a set lunch time due to the varied nature of our days, unless this is required for medical reasons. Please be aware that some foods will not be permitted due to severe allergies.
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Behaviour
We have a positive behaviour policy which reinforces good behaviour. The nature of our small classes and the way we learn is also conducive to positive behaviour.
Children who display persistent unsafe, discriminatory or dangerous behaviours, will be asked to leave, following our behaviour policy.
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Resources
We provide all resources needed for learning and costs for any visits. Children will need their own clothing and footwear, lunch and may also want their own pencil case. This should all be brought in a backpack.
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SEND
As an inclusive school, we will teach all children according to their needs using strategies developed during our teaching careers. Our small classes and home from home environment mean we can really support your child effectively. We will be able to signpost parents for further support and advice, if needed.
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Safety
All adults working directly with children will be subject to safeguarding checks. A paediatric first aider will be available at all times. All activities will be appropriately risk assessed.
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Ratios
At the most, we will operate on a ratio of 1 adult to 8 children, however, this will more often than not be 1 adult to 4 children or better.
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Curriculum
We use elements of the National Curriculum as a guide but we will take the passions of the children, the views of parents and the local riches in our community to shape our learning journey. Children will learn in-depth, from a range of perspectives and produce something of service.
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How to Enroll
We operate as a childminder and are registered with Ofsted. For your child to learn with us you will need to either:
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Remove your child from their current school, this is known as Elective Home Education. Your child can then enroll with us.
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In some cases, you may wish for your child to attend their current school for part of the week and Pod Micro School for the other. This is known as flexi schooling.
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If your child is already educated at home, they can join us for as many days as they wish.
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For further information, please check the following guidance.
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Starting at Pod Micro School
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Send us an enquiry at: info@podmicroschool.org or using the contact form below.
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We will answer any questions and send you an information pack.
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We will arrange a visit to come and see us and our pod
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We will then arrange a home visit to meet you all and to get to know your child in a space that is familiar to them.
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You are ready to start your learning adveture!
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Please fill in the contact form below or email us at: info@podmicroschool.org
Pricing
We offer a flexible schooling approach, children can be with us for one to three days a week. In addition, all children will have access to Google Classroom, where they can continue with extension and practice tasks to support their learning.
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1 day a week: £70 per week
2 days per Week: £135 per week
3 days per Week: £180 per week
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Local Authority Funded (EOTAS or other)
£85 per day
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Hourly Rate: £14
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10% Sibling discount available
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Fees can be paid on a monthly or termly basis, whatever works best for you.
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Additional Costs
£20 Joining Fee
Online Learning
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In addition to our face-to-face learning all children will have access to our online learning platform using Google Classroom. This will give all children the chance to practise and consolidate their learning with feedback given online or face-to-face. Giving children the chance to independently practice learning and then giving them timely feedback is one of the most effective ways for children to improve their learning.
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