Lee and Shaz worked together for eight years at a Junior School in Oxfordshire, where they strove to provide an educational setting and experiences which would lead to all learners being successful. However, increasingly feeling bound and frustrated by bureaucracy they decided to take a year out to consider how they could set up a school they totally believed in. The year turned into two years, but in September 2012 they finally opened the doors of The Treehouse School. This is the story of their journey…
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Hi Ladies
I’ve just read your blog and it all sounds really exciting. I am not surprised that you are ‘going for it’. You both have a unique enthusiasm for education and learning styles.
I look forward to hearing how it all goes and wish you lots of love in the setting up process
Hugs xx
It would appear that Lee and I are not the only ones who are thinking that some change is needed in the education system…
The BBC2 Schools Season, which is currently running, has featured programmes that respond to the fact that one size does not suit all!
Gareth Malone’s ‘Extraordinary School for Boys’ tried to tackle the fact that boys trail girls, in terms of achievement nationally and explored ways to motivate them. Dylan Wiliam’s ‘Classroom Experiment’ showed him working with teachers in a secondary school to try and engage all learners in their education. Then there is a documentary about a parent setting up a school in London, dissatisfied with the alternatives on offer locally. None of them have come up with THE ANSWER but the fact that these issues have been given air time, suggests that education really does need a rethink…
Lovely site and really interesting to read about all the progress you are making. Is there a group for registering an interest / becoming involved / finding out more please?
Shelley…great to hear from you. I will add your name to our mailing list. It would be very useful to know in what capacity you would like to become involved…
Shaz and Lee
Thank you, I would be really pleased to be added. Like others, I have been looking at alternatives to traditional schooling for my little ones. I am exploring options, have registered with NSN, undertaking Steiner Early Years training at the moment and Forest Schools training in March 2011. I would prefer not to say more on a public forum but happy to “chat” further via email if you would like to get in touch?
I had the pleasure of meeting Lee today where we chatted for ages on this wonderful project. I do hope that I can be of some help and grow the interest and support for The Treehouse School. Not a mother myself, I clearly remember my lovely infant school days (it was a while ago I have to say!) but I am hearing all sorts of nightmare situations from friends children and indeed my sister-in-law, a teacher in Birmingham, who at the ago of 38 decided she wanted to be a teacher ‘to make a difference’ alas this did not happen and she just goes through ‘the motions’. I hope to meet the trustees soon in the meantime good luck!
I have known Lee for 22 years. I first met her as a student on teaching practice at Binfield Primary, where I taught for 29 years. From the moment I first met Lee I knew that she would become one of those all too rare extra “special” teachers.
Lee has a passion for motivating children to learn in a creative and meaningful way. She has a real knowledge of literacy – how to motivate children to read and write.
Lee deserves every support in her giant undertaking — a real giant step for our young! I wish her every success and hope that one day I will be able to visit The Treehouse and give the odd poetry session.
Never give up Lee, you certainly have so much to offer – yours will be a remarkable school where real teaching and learning will take place.
Jill Hanson
Hello there! I needed to drop you guys a line. Wow, I love what you guys are doing!! I live in London, and you have no idea how much I have wanted for alternatives like this to flourish in this city. I work with children and I run art workshops for them using a self-led approach inspired by an amazing italian artist Bruno Munari. You’re such an inspiration! Thank you! I was wondering if it is ok to get in contact with you guys and find out how you guys have been organising yourselves and how you run it… would that be ok? Thanks again, keep inspiring us! Kiki (co-founder of Oh Art! / parent educator)
Thank you for your enthusiastic response to what we are doing! We do feel it is special AND important! It sounds as if you are doing some exciting stuff too. We would welcome links/visits from enthusiastic individuals like yourself. You can contact me personally on sharon@rosevilla5.freeserve.co.uk where we can talk more…
Shaz