One to one sessions on deschooling, communication, power dynamics, conflict and self-directed learning for families, educators and learning communities start ups.

Artemis Bear is a qualified teacher with over ten years experience as a home educating parent, who founded The Garden, the UK’s longest running all ages, self-directed learning community in Bristol in 2016, and can offer guidance on:

  • Deschooling: The process of deconstructing the beliefs we hold because we live in a schooled society.

  • Power dynamics: How to effectively share power. in various contexts; Examine systemic and group (including family) dynamics.

  • Communication: Unconditional relating (no rewards or punishments); Holding meetings; Collaborative decision making.

  • Conflict: A generative approach; Address conflict without blame; Real accountability; Build trust and care.

  • Project-based learning: Break away from academic silos; Create real world projects; Follow interests for broader and deeper learning.

  • Inquiry-led learning: Promote critical thinking skills and metacognition; Collaborate to learn together rather than teach.

  • Organisation: Effectively collaborate to plan and review learning; Use tools or technology to facilitate learning.

  • Documentation: Build an individual portfolio to demonstrate learning.

  • Qualifications: Information about accessing qualifications; What’s different for home educated young people?

  • Regulatory requirements: How to navigate your relationship with the local authority; What your rights are; What you’s obliged to do.

  • Other: I can also offer bespoke advice on specific situations and issues such as an historical analysis of legislation and any proposed changes.

I can also offer consultancy for start up learning communities, though I’d recommend having a look at the free support available from Freedom to Learn first. Consultancy on setting up a learning community is free of charge for anyone from a marginalised group.

Consultancy enquiries