Doing Things Differently Conference

Underpinning Principles

The conference was based around the following principles

• An effective curriculum is negotiated with learners, both in form and content
• Learning is created by learners, not simply given to them
• Learning happens between people
• An effective curriculum engages all the senses and connects mind and body
• Learning, understanding, ingenuity and intelligence are expressed in a wide variety of forms
• Learners and teachers are ambitious for what they can achieve together
• A good curriculum embraces happiness and fulfilment, beauty and laughter

So our primary curriculum should be:

• Engaging - learners are excited, intrigued, fascinated, enthused by what they do and learn
• Productive - the outcomes of our work together are things of value in which we all take pride
• Sociable - learners learn, explore and create together
• Human - the curriculum explores matters of human significance and celebrates our common humanity