The Spirit of the School

Recent interest in personalized learning and the issues raised by Every Child Matters have led to renewed enthusiasm for the more personal and holistic aspects of schooling. This fascinating monograph draws on empirical evidence from schools across the world to answer key questions such as: - What is the spirit of the school? - How does it differ from school ethos? - What can teachers and pupils do to contribute to the spirit of the school? Drawing heavily on research into learning theories (from the social constructivist tradition), community (from the philosophy of John Macmurray) and dialogue (from the philosophy of Martin Buber), Julian Stern's unique and illuminating book will stimulate fresh thinking about spiritual education.

Acknowledgements ForewordPreface Chapter 1: Introduction: exploring humanity, spirituality and religions in school The project Spirituality to and into dualism After dualism Spirituality overcoming dualism Defining spirituality again Policy on the spiritual Spirituality, religion and ethos Researching humanity: community, learning, and dialogue The structure of the book Chapter 2: School communities and the possibility of friendship  Introduction Community  Friendship     Friendship, freedom and fear     Friendship and irreplaceability     Friendship and difference and inequality The spirit of the schools     Close to me     Working together: friends in deed Conclusion Chapter 3: Learning together in the creative schoolIntroduction: inclusion and creativity     The meaning of inclusion     The meaning of creativity Inclusive learning     Weak inclusion     Strong inclusion     Inclusion of the curriculum and of people Making sense: the spirit of creativity     Agency, originality and value     Creativity, discipline and authenticity The spirit of the schools     Inclusion in and out of groups     Made up Conclusion Chapter 4: Monologue or dialogue? Stepping away from the abyss Introduction Dialogue and duellism Existential vocationalism and abysmal dialogue Lessons in dialogue Dialogue within and beyond schools The spirit of the schools     Dialogue within the school: silence and being there     Dialogue beyond the school: dead hamsters Conclusion for persons Chapter 5: ‘Great-souled' schooling and the spirit of the leader Introduction Avoiding loneliness Solitude and privacy for school leaders Crafty leadership From virtuosity to virtue: magnanimity and humility Conclusion Chapter 6: Conclusion: understanding and promoting the spirit of the school Introduction The virtue and value of research Vicious research, stealing or ignoring souls Bad poetry Virtuous research     The virtue of sincerity     The virtues of humility, modesty and openness to criticism     The virtues of respect, courage and trust     The virtues of kindness and truthfulness Valuable research Hoping for the spirit of the school     Defining the spirit of the school     What more is needed to promote the spirit of the school?Appendix: The Spirit of the School methodology and toolkit Introduction Guidance to participants     The Salmon Line     What is typically said?     Friendship, membership and thought circles     Interview questions     Additional information for adult participants     Additional information for pupils     Information about you: staff     Information about you: pupils     Consent form for institutions/organisations     Consent form for individual adults     Consent form for the parents/carers of individual young     people     Consent form for individual young people    Research schedule: questions and activities Bibliography Index