Posts by Mark Taylor
Christian Schiller in his own words – NAPE 018
An extract from a lecture ‘On the Curriculum’ 28th January 1958
The National Association for Primary Education present an annual lecture with a guest speaker who creates their talk inspired by the work of Christian Schiller.
This episode is read by Mark Taylor from the book ‘Christian Schiller in his own words’
CHRISTIAN SCHILLER CBE, MC, MA
Christian Schiller was born on the 20th September 1895. He went to a prep school and then to Gresham’s School where he was head boy. Military service in the First World War followed and he was wounded in action.
After the war he read mathematics at Cambridge and then studied with Percy Nunn at the London Day Training College before beginning his teaching career. In 1924 he was appointed HMI and then followed a long period of work with the schools in Liverpool where his
contact with poor children and their families was a deeply formative experience. He became District Inspector and later filled this role in Worcestershire.
In 1946 he became Staff Inspector for Primary Education and his influence, often in partnership with his friend Robin Tanner, HMI and etcher, was strongly felt as elementary schools developed into primary schools with a distinctive child centred approach which drew on children’s innate creativity and which recognised the powerful learning which comes from direct experience.
On his retirement in 1955 he began a new career as he created a one year course at the University of London Institute of Education for teachers and heads seconded from their schools. Each course was kept small, no more than 12 people who spent their year visiting schools and in discussion led by Schiller who often remained largely silent until he revealed his vision and optimism about the future in a brief summing up. There were no examinations or required coursework yet, as this writer will testify, everyone worked extremely hard. The course was hugely influential and most of his former students have gone on to hold senior leadership positions in education.
Christian Schiller died on the 11th February 1976. The following year the first memorial lecture was presented in London and the annual lectures, now organised by the National Association for Primary Education, continue to the present day. We are pleased to be able to celebrate the work of this great man who contributed so much to the principles and practice of primary education. To those who say look at us, obsessed with children being coached to pass tests, schools competing rather than co-operating, I reply , look more deeply , beyond today’s political froth. Schiller’s work continues and one day, will prevail.
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‘Christian Schiller in his own words’ was published by the Association in 1979. The book is available price £5.00 from the NAPE national office.
E: nationaloffice@nape.org.uk
T: 01604 647646
086: Round up and catch up
Todays episode is a round up of the Primary Music on Fire Membership Site launch season and a catch up of what else is available on the Education on Fire Podcast Network.
The English/Literacy season starts in two weeks time and we look forward to exploring this new topic with you.
The 4th Ultimate Wellbeing in Education Conference
The 4th Ultimate Wellbeing in Education Conference with Damian Hinds MP.
This landmark event will explore ways in which both student wellbeing and staff wellbeing can be improved in schools, colleges and universities.
Through discussions and advice from a range of leading wellbeing and education experts attendees will leave with a thorough understanding of the need for wellbeing education and practical ideas on how to implement it in their schools.
Great networking opportunities will exist with IPEN members and senior leaders and teachers involved in the implementation and day to day management of wellbeing within their schools and universities.
Join us for this one-day event hosted by Sir Anthony Seldon (Vice Chancellor of the University of Buckingham, President of IPEN, and co-founder of Action for Happiness) the event will begin with a keynote address by the Secretary of State for Education, Damian Hinds MP.
It will be of value to anyone with an interest in education, but particularly for those in the education sector or working with young people:
- Wellbeing Officers and Directors
- Pastoral staff
- Head Teachers
- Deputy Heads
- Teachers & lecturers
- Boarding staff including Heads of House
- Bursars and HR Managers
- Tutors
- Heads of Year
- Governors
Damian Hinds MP will start the 4th Ultimate Wellbeing in Education Conference in association with IPEN and the University of Buckingham speaking about his plans to introduce wellbeing into all schools from primary upwards.
The day will then explore the importance of student and staff wellbeing and offer ideas on how it can be improved. It will also allow for networking opportunities with members of the IPEN network, other wellbeing leads, senior leaders and teachers.
Joining Mr Hinds in a day hosted by Sir Anthony Seldon, will be Prof. Russell Foster, Rachel Kelly, Lorraine Thomas, Mike Buchanan and other key mental health, wellbeing, and education experts.
eCommerce Kids with Monica Busby. LF024
Monica Busby joins me on the Learning on Fire podcast and explores the most important learning and educational moments that shaped her life.
Our guest – Monica Busby
Monica Busby is the Momma Head Honcho of eCommerce Kids Institute for Higher Learning, a company that began in 2015 with her now 15 year-old son, Jarel. They have a vision to build a passionately serving family culture where every teen and PreTeen on earth has the opportunity to become an influential eCommerce Social Entrepreneur and Leader. With the Amazon marketplace being the starting point, curriculums now include eCommerce Start-Up, Entrepreneurship, Leadership + Performance-Enhancing Tools, Financial & Investment Planning, and more.
Questions asked on the Learning on Fire Podcast Interview
- Who are you?
- What does your life look like now and how is it different from when you were growing up?
- What was valuable about your school experience?
- Which teachers do you remember and why?
- Who did you admire when you were young?
- What was it about that person that had such an impact?
- What was the best piece of advice you have ever been given and who gave it to you?
- What advice would you give your younger self?
- What does your future look like?
- What podcast, book, video, film, song or other resource has had the biggest impact on your life and why?
Resources mentioned
Contact information
National Association for Primary Education
Our aim is to achieve a higher priority for the education of children from birth to 13. High quality learning in the early years of life is vitally important to the creation of an educated society. Young children are not simply preparing for the future, they are living a never to be repeated time of life and the best way to learn is to live.
pi-top: inspiring a generation of makers – NAPE 017
Today Mark interviews NAPE member Stuart Swann about pi-top.
The pi-top Learning Framework has been designed by experienced teachers to offer a more effective way to situate, support and contextualise learning than traditional instructionist methods. The learning-by-making framework guides learners and de-silos subjects in a true STEAM approach, fostering the software, hardware, and fusion skills 22nd-century learners need.
Stuart joined pi-top in October 2017 where he creates learning and professional development experiences that align with his belief in student-centred, project-based Constructionist learning. Stuart qualified as a primary teacher in 1995 and holds a Bachelor of Education. During his school career, he led on music and ICT and developed a bespoke scheme of work for ICT that supported the wider curriculum through innovative, project-based learning.
In 2011, Stuart established an educational technology consultancy with a partner called IE Solutions which supported schools in the UK and abroad in the development and implementation of Computing curricula. In his role as Director, Stuart presented at global events including BETT and GESS. He also developed curriculum content and mapping for SAM Labs, KUBO and AtLab (Dubai).
Stuart is a certified trainer for LEGO Education and has regularly delivered training to teachers in both primary and secondary schools and to a diverse range of organisations. Stuart travels globally on behalf of LEGO Education, and has delivered keynotes, training and workshops in Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.
National Association for Primary Education
Our aim is to achieve a higher priority for the education of children from birth to 13. High quality learning in the early years of life is vitally important to the creation of an educated society. Young children are not simply preparing for the future, they are living a never to be repeated time of life and the best way to learn is to live.