2009
Individuals
- TTT initiates new courses: Transition Together runs 2 pilot programmes to support individuals and households through transition. 50 new people sign up for courses. 3 new transition gardening courses are over subscribed. More gardening trainers are needed, says Lou Brown of TTT.
- Local people learn about and get involved in new ways of visioning and planning for the future through EDAP public workshops. Many attend the TTT public events and bring friends and family to become more informed about the issues. Over 350 people attend the public launch of the EDAP.
- 3 primary schools sign up for Transition Tales sessions with TTT. “The children are really enthusiastic,” says Steph Bradley, co-ordinator of the project.
- Leading Head teacher and political commentator Anthony Seldon, along with the majority of educational leaders, major assessment bodies, teachers associations and politicians condemn the current emphasis on league tables and national tests. Seldon comments, “soulless schools cursed by league tables and dominated by ‘formulaic’ exams are squeezing the lifeblood out of education. A system that stifles imagination, individuality and flair.” He advocates a severe cut back of external testing and examinations. He argues for smaller schools, playing fields, placing orchestras and music at the heart of the curriculum and offering dance, physical exercise, outdoor adventure and challenge to everyone. “We should not ask how intelligent a child is, but how are they intelligent.”
- Dartington Eco-School, Devon’s first zero carbon school opens. They invite teachers from all the other schools in Totnes and District to an open day to encourage them to make changes. “We really want to share the terrific ideas and encourage other schools to make even some small changes,” said thrilled head teacher Jill Mahon. “We will be paying visits to other local schools for some ideas for our school garden project.”
Community
- Transition Tales schools’ project expands to more students at KEVICCS. 8 new volunteers train to deliver the sessions. KEVICCS starts a Buddy scheme between yr 7 and yr 12 students to share transition ideas and promote links between students. Parents at the school form a Transition Together group.
- Transition Tales initiates a transition teacher training programme including inset days, Community & Personal Development (CPD) courses as well as tailor made courses for specific schools’ needs including skills and activities for teaching about transition, working with inner development, both at a personal level and with the students, and starts working with Embercombe, Bowden & Sharpham offering residential camps for schools and away weekends for teachers.
- A field is purchased by Transition Tales using crowd funding from parents, teachers, and local philanthropists to transform into a Transition Tales Wild Garden where children and their significant adults will be able to help create a forest garden, forage for, cook and eat wild foods, and tell transition tales in the storytelling barn.
- St John’s School opens talks with the Healthy Futures group and the Allotments Association regarding an intergeneration learning, growing and sharing project.
- Totnes primary schools establish a children’s Transition Team to weave together transition stories and create new ideas.
- TTT Education for Transition project commences. Members of TTT’s Education group make links with local schools and offer ‘Teaching for Change’ sessions about transition. They discuss ways to reduce the weight of bureaucracy on schools and teachers.
Policy Makers & Service Providers
- The Mansion House Courses include Powerdown training. They are immediately oversubscribed.
- DCC & RE4D (Renewable Energy 4 Devon) offer advice and information about installing renewable energy.
- Through their Friends’ groups, Library services have been looking at ways to support people through the economic downturn and promote their services to the wider community and in particular young people.
- DCC funds a presentation of Localeyes web voting in Devon to key officers involved in young person’s wellbeing, educational officers and others involved in the Children’s and Young Person’s Plan. They also invite elected representatives from the Youth Parliament and members of the Young People’s Scrutiny Committee.
- SHDC runs staff training sessions to increase energy efficiency and reduce wastage. The staff enjoys the training and agree to carry out some energy measures at home. A short leaflet will be issued to all households and business premises based on the key parts of the training most people enjoyed.
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