What tools can we use to navigate our way?
Although there is no single blueprint, it is crucial that our efforts to rewild education are underpinned by a shared set of principles. Developing new, radical, transformational practices requires a strong rationale and a robust pedagogy. We have created a new navigational tool – a compass - to help us to illustrate what would characterise a ‘rewilded education.’ Using this compass is the primary lens that we use to support individuals and organisations to navigate their way towards healthier, fairer, and wilder educational practice.
Where are we going and how do we get there?
A Compass for Rewilding Education
This compass contains some central concepts – wild, free, grounded, and consensual – but the underpinning definitions of these demonstrate some of the complexity of achieving this in practice. How can educational practice be untamed and self-willed whilst also being boundaried and socially just? How can we encourage spontaneity and playfulness whilst also ensuring consent-based practices? How can all elements of our practice be deeply connected with the living world?
What we know, based on our experience so far, is that the more that individuals and organisations can push at the edges and be wild, free, grounded, and consensual, the closer we get to creating educational experiences which are healthy, liberatory, socially just, and growthful for everyone.
Using this compass is a dynamic experience rather than a static one. Where are you with your own life? How would you use this to change your practice? Where are the challenges for you and where are your strengths?