In the heart of Morden, South London, Liberty Woodland School is engaging in a groundbreaking educational experiment.
Nestled near a National Trust park, this independent school caters to students aged four to 16 and is breaking away from traditional educational models by implementing a four-day school week.
By fostering a nurturing atmosphere that emphasizes mental health and making use of creative learning spaces, including yurt-like tents called “dens,” Liberty Woodland is setting a new standard for education.
Innovative Schedule and Student Wellbeing
This innovative school is part of a small wave of institutions across England aiming to enhance student wellbeing while addressing the pressing issue of teacher shortages.
Liberty Woodland’s schedule compresses the school week into just four days, extending hours each day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Fridays are reserved for self-guided learning and personal projects, allowing students to explore interests outside the classroom.
While students enjoy a break from formal classes on Fridays, teachers remain engaged, providing online support and assisting with project work, all while dedicating time to lesson planning and assessments.
Parental Appeal and Student Experiences
Since launching its primary phase in 2019, Liberty Woodland has steadily expanded its offerings, opening a secondary school five years later.
Starting in January, the term fees will slightly increase to just under £7,000, reflecting VAT adjustments and consistent with Labour’s educational goals.
Parents have increasingly turned to Liberty Woodland due to concerns about their children’s mental health.
Many families have reported that larger schools, with their strict discipline and overcrowded classrooms, have contributed to stress and anxiety in their children.
One fourteen-year-old who transitioned from a traditional secondary school spoke highly of Liberty Woodland, noting its positive impact on his mental wellbeing and appreciating the comprehensive international baccalaureate curriculum.
He emphasized how the four-day week allows for more time at home and relief from a packed schedule.
Another student, who moved from a school with 1,500 classmates, struggled with personal wellbeing before discovering Liberty Woodland.
His family was actively searching for alternative educational paths that would better support his needs.
Addressing Teacher Shortages and Future Outlook
The school’s leadership believes that this four-day model encourages independence, creativity, and exploration among students, leading to a more enriching educational experience.
An eleven-year-old student shared that while most of his classmates complete their assignments on Fridays, they enjoy the flexibility of having the weekend to finish their tasks, freeing up time for leisure activities such as playing video games or enjoying sports.
Leanna Barrett, the founder and head of school, emphasized the need for educational institutions to evolve in response to societal changes.
She highlighted the importance of fostering a healthier work-life balance for both students and educators.
As teacher recruitment and retention become increasingly challenging across England, schools are implementing various strategies to make the profession more appealing.
A petition advocating for a four-day school week—while maintaining the same total instructional hours—has gained traction, collecting over 40,000 endorsements.
Reports suggest that over 2,000 schools in 26 U.S. states have adopted a similar four-day operational model.
The aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted attendance rates in English schools, as many students now experience anxiety or health issues that necessitate reduced schedules.
Concurrently, the government struggles to attract enough graduates to the teaching profession, citing concerns over compensation and workload.
Joe Ryle, director of the 4 Day Week Campaign, discussed how a four-day workweek for teachers could alleviate some of the issues surrounding recruitment and retention in the profession.
He stressed that unless work-life balance improves for educators, government efforts to attract new teachers might fall short.
However, whether a four-day school week will become standard in state schools across England is still uncertain.
A representative from the Department for Education reiterated the commitment to maintaining existing instructional time.
They underscored the goal of ensuring every classroom hour is impactful, aimed at dismantling barriers and enhancing opportunities for all young learners, striving to provide every child with the best possible chance to succeed, regardless of their background.
Source: The guardian