Child Side School
Location
Child Side is an intentionally small regional, independent community school registered K-year 7. They also support families that are philosophically aligned with their vision, mission and purpose but whom have children outside of the school age range through offering a playgroup and hosting a Family Learning Co-operative (Year 8+). Their intent is to offer personalised learning in multi-aged grouped settings in a homelike, family-friendly physical learning environment.
Child Side is inspired by the principles and practices of Reggio Emilia and Big Picture Education. The ‘small by design’ principle, real family involvement and ‘authentic’ learning have been significant factors in setting up their whole structure ( ‘small and personalised, customised learning’ in a group setting). They have a strong interest in brain based learning, social constructivist ways of learning and supporting engaged and inspired learners through everything they do. This influences the way they set up their physical learning environment, our child friendly timetable and our major investigations - called Big Ideas through which children engage in an integrated curriculum, life skills and their personal interests over an extended period of time. Older children also have public exhibitions of their Big Ideas and all learning groups operate with the educator in a ‘generalist’ advisory role, supporting, guiding, learning alongside the children (hence our school name- Child Side- by the side of a child). They utilise the Learning cycle of Prepare and Plan, take action, reflection with all learners regardless of age and they are involved in all facets of living and learning at the school (including preparing a sit down community lunch for us all daily, utilising our organic kitchen garden and washing their own dishes from 4 year olds upwards.). They joined Big Picture in 2009. The 5 learning goals express and link the curriculum authentically for educators and learners.