The Festival of Alternative Education
Hebden Bridge, June 17th.
Inspiring speakers, a choice of creative workshops on yoga, meditation, democratic education, politics, philosophy, flood prevention, art and much, much more. Food and music too!
The Festival will have three themes: Earth, Society and Self, andespecially how they are connected.
What’s on?
Yoga Classes with Teen Yoga
9am to 10am morning class and 3:30 to 4:30pm afternoon class with Robin the youth ambassador for Teen Yoga. Drop in yoga classes for all ages in the main hall.
Teen yoga have been making a difference and bringing wellbeing to young people since 2004.
How Meditation Enhances Learning and Creativity
10:15am to 11:15am talk in the Mezzanine.
A practical workshop with easy to use techniques led by Anil Sarna, Lead teacher at Hebden Bridge School.
How flooding is caused, a practical, creative workshop for children and adults.
10.15am-12.00pm in the Main Hall
Zoe Holden, creative director of Hebden Bridge School and Liva Hansen teacher at Hebden Bridge School
Why We Need Democracy In Our Schools
11:30am to 12:15pm talk in the Mezzanine
Derry Hannam, ex-deputy head, ex-school inspector, enthusiastic supporter of democatic education and occasional adviser to government committees talks about the importance of democracy.Liberating the Child in the School, 100 years of struggle.12:15pm- 1pm talk in the Mezzanine
What did teachers and educationalists do in response to the industrial revolution, the ongoing fight in the early 1900s for the rights of women, workers and the poor? From the beginning successful schools were reduced to the influence of charismatic community leaders and teachers. The teacher was the hero. But was there a community? How did it share and promote its views? How did it encourage new experimentation? And how influential was it? And why is it important today?
Michael Newman has been at Summerhill School for 17 years. He has been vice chairman and Treasurer of Children’s Rights Alliance for England, and has been on Executive Committees of British Humanist Association. He set-up the Summerhill children’s campaign committee that lead the fight to save the school.Grow Big Sense Pod
11am to 1pm, the Sense Pod will be outside if the the rain stays away.
Come and discover this unique sensory play experience for younger children.
Lunch
At 1pm there will be hearty, low-priced, locally-grown food provided by Treesponsibility.
Practical Democracy in Schools
2pm to 3:15pm in the Mezzanine
Imagine an education system that values and gives respect to every student and where being supported to learn in the way that best suits each child is a right, not a privilege. You’re imagining a democratic education. Phoenix Education Trust will give a practical demonstration of how democratic education works.
Democratic Free School in Manchester Project
4pm to 5pm in the Mezzanine.
Join Anil Sarna and Lisa Matthews in an ideas gathering and networking session for people who would like to get involved in starting a democratic secondary free school in Manchester.
Tree planting workshop
3:30pm to 4pm, in the mezzanine and then 4pm-5pm outside.
Join Dongria from Treesponsability for treeplanting activities, learn about the importance of trees in the landscape, the water cycle and their ecological functions.
Plenary
5:15pm in the main hall. Open forum discussions. 30 secs on the mic for everyone in the room. Discussion groups on Earth /Society/Self.
Open-Space Workshops Throughout The Day
In keeping with our democratic principles this is an open-space festival where any delegate can offer to lead a workshop. This will foment the circulation of ideas and experience, enhance friendship and enrich networking. Workshops will be 45-60 minutes long.
Practical Info
9am to 6pm, Saturday June 17th, The Birchcliffe Centre in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire.
Tickets are free for children under 12, and for adults it’s a pay-as-you-feel donation . Click here for full information.
If you want to get involved get in touch
Timetable so far
| Times | ROOM 1 MAIN Hall | ROOM 2 Mezzanine | MAIN HALL/OUTSIDE | YOU LEAD TALKS. A SPACE FOR |
| 9-10 | 9-10 Early Morning Teen Yoga | 9-10am | 9-10am | |
| 10-11 | 10.15-11.15amAnil SarnaHow meditation enhances learning. | 10.15-11.15Zoe HoldenHow floods are caused. Workshop | ||
| 11-12 | Grow BigFree play space | 11.30-12.15amDerry HannamWhy we need democracy in our schools? | ||
| 12-1 | Grow BigFree play space | 12.15 -1.00pmMichael Newman (Summerhill School)Children’s rights- a 100 years of struggle. | Zoe HoldenHow floods are caused. Workshop | |
| 1-2 | 1 PM LUNCHTreesponsibility: organic food | 1 PM LUNCHTreesponsibility: organic food | 1 PM LUNCHTreesponsibility: organic food | |
| 2-3 | Free play space | 2:00- 3.30pmPhoenix Education Trust. democracy in schools –a practical demonstration | ||
| 3-4 | Fee play space | 3.30-4:00 PM Tresssponsibility Workshop intro | 3.30-4.30Teen Yoga. yoga practice | |
| 4-5 | Free play space | 4.00-5.00Open meeting:Geenrating ideas for aDemocratic School Project Manchester (Anil Sarna and Lisa Matthews) | 4:00-5.00 PM Treesponsibility workshop continued (outdoors) | |
| 5-6 | 5.15 PMPlenaryOpen forum discussions.30 secs on the mic for everyone in the room.Discussion groups on Earth /Society/Self/Mixing adults and children.Democratic Plenary | |||
| 7:00 DINNER Bring and share |