Engagement

Finally in the series of RESTORE we come to engagement, aimed at when staff and students start to spend time physically together again. This will be a tangible punctuation and perhaps even a seminal moment in time that provides new opportunity.  An opportunity to review education and to put into action our reflections from a

Relationships

To be in relationship is to be human – it’s as intrinsic to our survival as the air that we breathe. Our primal needs to belong, to be of significance, all play out within the fabric of our relationships.  We know ourselves through the knowledge of ourselves in relationship to others.  Neuroscience confirms the imperative for

“Never let a good crisis go to waste”

Opportunity in the Time of Crisis A restorative approach views conflict as an opportunity for learning and growth. In the same way, viewing this time of crisis through a restorative lens can help us find opportunities for learning and growth. As educators, this time brings us opportunities to reflect differently on our known reality, and

Trauma

I’d been staying in my home for several weeks when my partner encouraged me outside, for a walk to look at what’s growing in our allotment. He knows it’s a good suggestion as it doesn’t involve a shop, people, roads or pavements: things I’ve struggled with recently. We step through the gate and walk in

Safety

I remember the challenges of supporting pupils in staying safe when using the internet.  I also remember someone telling me that teaching people to be safe using the internet is a bit like teaching children how to cross the road – you don’t stop the traffic!  There are serious dangers to be navigated, not all people drive

Empathy

There are thousands of beautiful works of art in the world, but this by Ukrainian artist Alexander Milov was, for me, a visual representation of empathy long before I knew the story behind the piece.  Milov later wrote: “It demonstrates a conflict between a man and a woman as well as the outer and inner expression

One theme from the acronym RESTORE per week – from now until the end of the UK summer term, conveniently 7 weeks away!

So this week’s focus is recognition. I am currently reading a book called Everyday Ubuntu by Mungi Ngomane, Archbishop Tutu’s granddaughter. I am reading it slowly and taking it in deeply – and it is reminding me so much about the importance of recognising that ‘a person is a person through other persons’. In other

RESTORE – Recognition. Empathy. Safety. Trauma. Opportunity. Relationships. Engagement.

There is widespread RECOGNITION that this pandemic has changed us all and how we view ourselves and our lives. However, everyone’s experience and attitude towards Covid-19 and the subsequent Lockdown has been different and continues to change as we become ever used to our ‘new normal’. The next phase is for us to support each other through