How to flourish – how schools equip young people to live well

Schools for Human Flourishing is a collaboration between Woodard Schools, the Schools, Students and Teachers Network and the Church of England Education Office. Set against a background where evidence shows the young are increasingly stressed by modern life this book will be of interest to teachers, students and their parents.

Authors from a range of school settings from inner city London to the privilege of public school, from church schools in England to a school born out of the fragmentation of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, show how they bring fresh approaches to learning and prioritising progress for each child.

Speaking at the launch of Schools for Human Flourishing, the Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely and lead Bishop for education said: 'As we take character education more and more seriously, we are passionately interested in the formation and flourishing of the human personality and what kind of human life we are educating people for. This book reminds us that we inhabit a culture which believes in restoration, forgiveness and transformation.'

In the book, the Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu writes, 'I believe young people are desperate for a new kind of education: one that values them for who they are, and draws out their gifts and creative energies; one that helps them to 'bear fruit' in every part of every part of their lives.'

Themes running through each chapter show that academic rigour and progress are vital to achieving life in all its fullness but that this cannot be at the expense of a broader understanding of human flourishing. The story of United World College in Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, shows how the principle of living and working together as young people is the best antidote to hatred and to avoid conflict.

Catherine May, Headteacher of St Saviour's and St Olave's in Lambeth, South London tells the story of her school: 'We are relentless in our ambition and aspiration for every student, but we do not define success for her. We encourage every student to know she has the right to make her own future, and our role is to open her eyes to the possibilities.' The school achieves this though investing in providing a secure yet challenging environment that gives equal focus to physical, spiritual, emotional and academic development.

Nigel Genders, Chief Education Officer for the Church of England said, 'The recent White Paper from the DfE has much to say about the role of leadership in education. This book is a testament to creative leadership and will I hope show that there is not a one size fits all solution. Offering an education for hope, wisdom, community and respect is common to all approaches and one from which life can be lived in all its fullness.'