A Typical Day

Breakfast is at 8:00 until 8:45. You have to be up and dressed by 8:30 or the “Beddies Officers” can fine you. A typical fine might be: back of the lunch queue, or a half-hour work fine.

At 9:30 a computerised bell announces lessons. Just as in most other schools, the children have a timetable and each teacher keeps a register but classes as well as activities /projects are not compulsory. Each sign-up student is given a blank timetable at the beginning of term in which they write their lessons. The timetable is changed from term to term depending on the choices of the kids and the subjects offered to them.

Children below the age of 12 have their own teachers and classrooms with multi-activity spaces. In Class 1 (aged 5-9) the teacher can provide a timetable for the week, or organise activities in response to the children's needs and wishes. Class 2 (aged 10-12) have a sign up at the beginning of term for a wide variety of subjects and activities/projects. The Class 1 and 2 spaces also allow for children to be in the classroom and engage in independent activity that is not tied to any timetable.

The principle of the timetable is to allow the students to make informed choices within the context of a structured day. This leads to a strong sense of personal agency and maturity concerning life choices. The children know what is available and can then decide how to personally use their own time …playing, socializing, taking part in school committees, formal or informal learning etc. ( However, there are rules that stop you from sleeping during the day, watching TV in the common room during lessons, and from going down town before 12:30.)

The specialist teachers are given a lot of independence in their classrooms, in terms of teaching method and objectives, but are assisted by two Curriculum Advisors who have the role of coordinating and discussing teaching aims, methods and practices. Senior teachers are expected to be able to teach their subjects up to GCSE (national English exams for 16 year olds) level. We do not send reports to parents unless requested – and then only with the child’s permission.

Morning lessons end at 1:10.Mid morning we have a 20-minute break for tea. Lunch is served from 12:20 –1:15. School meetings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 1:45 until about 2:30, depending on what the businesses are. The meeting is not compulsory but is usually well attended. After that there is ‘complete’ free time.( Time that does not conflict with any timetabled lessons/activities).You can watch TV in the sitting room, study on the computers, make a hut in the woods, play games, read, play tennis, go swimming (open air and therefore only in summer). Tea is at 3:30 – a cup of tea and biscuits.

At 4:00 the afternoon classes begin. On Thursdays these are more like activities than lessons. Subjects range from sewing to taking a walk to watch wildlife. Supper is at 5:30 - 6:15. After that there are any number of things to do. Some days it may be “gram” (disco), or maybe something has been organised by the “social committee” (word games like “The Paper Game” or action games like “Kick the Can” or British Bulldog”)

Bedtimes range from 8:00 (lights out at 9:00) for the smallest (or “San”) kids, to 11:30 (lights can stay on) for the oldest (“Carriage”) kids. Elected “Beddies Officers” put you to bed, make sure you keep quiet and get you back to bed if you ‘sneak out’ after lights out! They also make sure everybody is up in the morning.

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