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What’s holding schools back?
The UK education system is in crisis.
Fear-driven accountability. A recruitment shortage. A curriculum that often feels out of step with what children really need. Teachers stretched to breaking point. Students losing their love of learning. Schools are meant to be places of growth, but too often, they’re places of survival.
At St. EBBES’s School, headteacher Tina Farr and deputy head Claire Wiles saw this first-hand. They saw how rigid structures stifled creativity, how fear of getting it wrong stopped innovation and how both staff and students were losing something vital—a sense of purpose and joy in learning.
But instead of accepting the system as it was, they asked: What if we did things differently?
What was the turning point for you?
Tina had always been inspired by Ken Robinson’s TED Talk on how schools kill creativity. It wasn’t just a talk for her—it was a call to action. She wanted to prove that schools could be different.
So, they started making bold changes.
They rewrote the curriculum—not with dry targets and checklists, but with big, hopeful questions that sparked curiosity. Learning became inquiry-driven, where students explored real-world challenges with the freedom to think, to question, to create.
They built a culture of trust. No more micromanagement. No fear of ‘getting it wrong.’ Teachers were given ownership over their work. Staff meetings began in circles, with open conversations and real listening. Trust wasn’t just a word—it was a way of working.
They embedded wellbeing into everything—not as an afterthought, but as the foundation. Self-Care, People Care and Earth-Care became the school’s guiding principles. A simple but powerful shift: When staff thrive, students thrive.
What’s your new normal?
Now, St. EBB’s is a different kind of school. A school where:
Learning starts with curiosity. Each project has a narrative hook, making subjects feel alive and relevant.
Teachers feel trusted. No fear. Just a culture of learning, trying, adapting.
Wellbeing is woven into every day. Staff don’t burn out. Students feel safe to take risks.
Sustainability isn’t just taught—it’s lived. From rewilding projects to student-led environmental action, earth care is part of the fabric of the school.
Families are part of the journey. Parents don’t feel at odds with the school. They feel part of it.
This isn’t a theory. It’s happening.
And here’s the truth: it’s possible for other schools too.
The education system may be slow to change, but individual schools can lead the way.
The future of education isn’t about small tweaks—it’s about rethinking what school can be.
So the real question is: What if your school followed their lead?
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