Future Educators

As the autumnal weather began to show itself and the days shortened, we welcomed a group of primary PGCE trainees from the University of Exeter to Oxen Park for a two night residential to mark the end of our programme season for 2017.

The weekend was jam packed with activities on the land, including gardening, cooking and crafts, while we infused the work with conversations about educational practice and the meaning of education in today's world.

The programme was designed to focus on our collective educational pasts, the present and the future, with participants bringing their own learning stories, sharing their thoughts and reflecting on the potential of experiential learning in shaping education of the future. We sought a balance between physical work, inspiring creativity and discussion - or head, hand and heart!

On the final morning, some of the 250 or so squash harvested from the field were incorporated into some land art - complete with meaning and significance for these budding educators of the future. The team at On The Hill felt confident that if the future educators are people like these wonderful students, then it is a bright future indeed!

We are looking forward to more opportunities to work with PGCE and teacher education groups as well as running CPD days for teachers in practice at all levels. Watch this space - or get in touch!