Alt/Ed Explorers

Mini-Eps: Flexi-Schooling

🎧 Alt Ed Explorers: Flexi-Schooling with Finding the Flex What if education worked more like hybrid working, part at school, part at home? In this Alt Ed Explorers Mini Ep, we explore flexi-schooling, an arrangement that lets children spend part of their week in school and part learning at home. It’s an option that’s growing fast, but many parents and schools still don’t know it exists. To unpack what it really looks like, we’re joined by Sarah Sudea, founder of Finding the Flex, an organisation created in 2024 to raise awareness of flexi-schooling and help more families access it. A former teacher and parent coach specialising in school attendance challenges, Sarah shares her insights on bridging the gap between families seeking flexibility and schools unsure how to offer it. 💡 Discover how flexi-schooling can work in practice, the policies that support it, and how collaboration and trust between parents and schools can transform a child’s experience of education. #AltEdExplorers #FlexiSchooling #FindingTheFlex #AlternativeEducation #HybridLearning #ParentPartnershi #homeeducation

3. Steiner School

In episode 03 of Alt/Ed Explorers, we visit the world of Steiner education with two passionate advocates from the Lancaster Steiner School: Katie Flasby and Elspeth Mukerji. Discover how this unique approach, rooted in holistic development, artistic expression, and imaginative learning, creates vibrant, child-centered environments that nurture both academic curiosity and emotional growth. Katie and Elspeth share: * What makes Steiner schools distinct from conventional models and how they cultivate creativity, community, and self-awareness. * Day-to-day rhythms: from hands-on artistic projects to nature-based learning and the role of storytelling in education. * Practical insights for parents: how to bring a dash of Steiner-inspired values into your home, even if formal Steiner schooling isn’t on the table. Whether you’re new to alternative schooling or simply curious about reimagining education, this episode nurtures your imagination, inspires creative parenting, and opens the door to new possibilities. Listen. Reflect. Share. And imagine what could be possible when curiosity leads. #AltEdExplorers #SteinerSchool #HolisticLearning #CreativeEducation #ParentingPodcast #EducationPodcast

2. Maharishi School

In epsiode 2 of Alt/Ed Explorers, we interview Ellen Freel, a primary teacher at the Maharishi School in Lancashire. Ellen shares her thoughts on how consciousness-based learning and Transcendental Meditation shape not just calmer classrooms, but more focused and connected students. Whether you're new to alternative education or just curious about how small changes at home can support your child's wellbeing, this episode gives you a window into what a "meditating school day" looks like and how you can start to look into some of these methods at home. "Imagine if everybody meditated... how much better the world would be, how much more peaceful" - Ellen Freel Listen. Reflect. Comment. Share. And imagine what could be possible... #AltEdExplorers #MaharishiMaheshYogi #MaharishiSchool #AlternativeEducation #MeditationforKids #ParentingPodcast #EducationPodcast #EducationReimagined

1. Self Managed Learning

In this first episode of Alt/Ed Explorers, we dive into the world of Self Managed Learning (SML), a powerful alternative to traditional schooling where young people are trusted to take charge of their own education, guided by mentors. We speak with Dr Ian Cunningham, founder of the Self Managed Learning College, about: - Why traditional schooling is stuck in the past - How SML nurtures autonomy and thinking outside the box - The five questions we should be asking our children (and ourselves) to make sure we're on the right path. Listen, share, and follow for insights into alternative education models and how you can implement some of them in your own home! #AltEdExplorers