Let year three commence
Our Founder, Lucy Stephens, looks forward to the year ahead and reflects on the journey so far.
‘As we're starting our third academic year, I've been thinking back over the last few years of co-creating and developing a new model for education. It's been such a tough process, and also deeply rewarding. One thing that I (now) know about setting up something new, is to be prepared for big highs and big lows.’
‘When 'the new' involves people and relationships, and the complexity of those people and relationships, things can be messy, hopeful, stressful, and empowering all at the same time. Even within the same hour, let alone the same week. But what always helps me find the balance again is remembering that models, start-ups, new things, are a representation of ideas, experiences and perspectives. And putting that into practice will always be complex. It requires flexibility, self-reflection, self-awareness and patience (all works in progress). Recognising that ideas get better the more they are examined and explored. It's hard to invite others into your work, but asking for input and challenge grows a model.’
A sunny day water fight was one of the end of term highlights for many of the young people earlier on in the year.
‘It makes it better because it allows interrelated and interconnected ideas to become a part and to be integrated. To grow the complexity and nuance we have to be open to others challenging our assumptions. Meeting them with curiosity and attention is hard, because it's easier to double down on control. It's not always comfortable. It often makes things slower. Time is not always on your side with a start-up, processes have be actioned, financial sustainability is not guaranteed.’
‘I really believe that the only way for us to create models that are transformative and are truly fit for purpose is to sit in this space of not knowing, of challenge, of complexity. This is how we can transform the systems that hold our society. So when it's hard, I tell myself to trust the process, it'll make our model better. What emerges is where social change happens.’
Some of our young people making an innovative cardboard slide during self-directed time
Watch this space for more updates over the course of the year, or subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss a thing!
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