Back at the end of March I wrote to all staff in the Nene Education


Trust. In part of the letter, I said: “We are social creatures – wired only for love, compassion, connec- tion and empathy. But often we only realise how precious something is – like our freedom - once we lose it. So, when we all get through this, I believe we’re all going to be kinder. Kinder to one another. Kinder to friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues - and complete strangers. I really hope so, anyway.” I believe that we can move towards a kinder, more realistic educa-


tion system with genuine and useful end points for our young people. How is it right that a primary school aged child should be formally tested and labelled at least five times during their primary school ca- reer? And that secondary school aged pupils sit (what could now be deemed as) meaningless exams regularly throughout their journey, with such importance placed on the results; results that could define their futures? Can we, moreover should we, demand that our young people be treated with more kindness and dignity on their journey through education? After all, learning is an amazing privilege and we have the chance to really come together as a collective – a community – and demand change. I love working in the education sector. Young people are just incred- ible and we can do so much more to nurture and harness their talents. Te future is very bright – change can happen and I wonder if now is the time to start striving and driving for things to be different. Can we dare to dream for a kinder education system? Matt Coleman is the Education Lead for the Northamptonshire


Schools & Business Alliance (NSBA). –


For more information about this alliance and to see how your expertise could benefit the curriculum that we offer our young people, contact Louise Garrod at louise@allthingsmanagement.co.uk


ALL THINGS BUSINESS 27


Matt proudly works for the Nene Education Trust, a multi academy trust in East Northants. NET’s schools include Windmill Primary Raunds, Stanwick Primary, Newton Road School Rushden, Raunds Park Infants, St. Peter’s CE Junior, Woodford CE Primary and Manor School Sports College. –


For further information about the Nene Education Trust, visit www.neneeducationtrust.org.uk –


Follow us on Twitter @NeneEducation To contact Matt directly, email mcoleman@neneeducationtrust.org.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76