The Multiple Intelligence Curriculum

To achieve their true potential, children must understand who they are and their place in the world around them.  We have found that by placing this principle at the core of our approach, children are able to attain a high degree of learning.

Our pupils consistently achieve or exceed external age appropriate academic targets at the same time as having a fuller childhood with their families. 

Professor Howard Gardner, a psychologist and professor of neuroscience from Harvard University, developed the theory of Multiple Intelligences (MI) in 1983. The theory challenged traditional beliefs in the fields of education and cognitive science.

We all have different kinds of intelligence that reflect different ways of interacting with the world. Each person has a unique combination, or profile of quotients:

EQ - Emotional Intelligence

IQ - Intellectual Intelligence

CQ - Creative Intelligence

SQ - Social Intelligence

PQ - Physical Intelligence

SPQ -  Spiritual Intelligence

These quotients are at the centre of the Bloo House curriculum and offer a truly holistic learning environment for each child.

The Great Outdoors

by Piers H. Gardener

Not so long ago, I read an interview, in a Sunday newspaper, with a member of the Kogi people - an indigenous Colombian tribe. They have maintained a very simple lifestyle, resisting influences from Spanish conquistadors and Christian missionaries to modern eco-tourists, militias and heavy industry. Like many native people, the Kogi believe in the importance of maintaining a balance between people and nature.

At Bloo House, recognising such a balance is fundamental to our pupils' learning. Our woodland programme enables them to experience the great outdoors, whilst learning key life skills. Such experiences, through our Forest school programme, can also improve children's self regulation, empathy, independence, self esteem and confidence. By participating in achievable tasks within a woodland environment, children become motivated and develop intrinsic emotional and social skills - vital skills, that are often not supported whilst playing computer games for elongated periods.

In fact, a recent survey undertaken by Childwise has shown that children's screen time has developed from around four hours in 2005 to five and a half hours in 2009-10. When one adds screen based activities from mobile phones, iPods and hand held computer games, experts calculate that children could be spending as much as one hour in four in front of a screen.

While it is important to recognise advancements in technology, it is essential for our general wellbeing that we maintain our balance with nature, exploring everything it has to offer on a regular basis. This could be as simple as a walk on a Sunday afternoon to climbing a mountain in the Himalayas to raise money for a good cause.

The Kogi have very few possessions; have never seen a computer, let alone an iPhone, but they have enormous insight into their natural environment, much like the Australian Aborigines. This insight has faded over many generations in Western environments and as parents and educators, it is up to us to empower our children to re-discover the beauty of the natural world.

Bloo House Applauded At Education Conference

The Master of Wellington College and renowned author Dr. Anthony Seldon, with key speakers attending from around the world, including Sir Ken Robinson  (author of "All Our Futures: Creativity, Culture and Education") hosted the Creativity Accelerators' Conference last November. The day attracted education academics, Heads and Principals from schools around the country to share and listen to ideas on how to make radical improvements to Britain's educational system.

Bloo House's co-founders, Melissa Carter and Piers Hesketh-Gardener, attended the conference during which, they took part in a key focus group and were applauded for their innovative approach when speaking  to industry leaders, sociologists and other school Heads.

Their curriculum, inspired by the research of Howard Gardner, is centered on the recognition of the eight aptitudes of a child and their delivery on a day-to-day basis inside and outside the classroom.

Speaking at the conference, Bloo House Principal Melissa Carter commented: "It's wonderful to see so many enthusiastic teachers and Heads keen to improve the way we communicate directly  with and creatively teach children." She went on to say: "Our society is changing dramatically  and education needs to evolve in order to offer the best opportunities to our young people - it's no longer about just developing a child's IQ, it's about nurturing and empowering the whole individual."

Sir Ken Robinson - Changing Education Paradigms

Sir Ken Robinson is an author, speaker and international advisor on education to governments and many other organisations.  He was Director of The Arts in Schools Project in the 1980s and was Professor of Arts education at the University of Warwick throughout the 1990s.

He is an eloquent speaker and is exceptionally articulate on the subject of educational change. He represents a growing number of academics and scholars who believe that the way we educate children has to change fundamentally  at a core level.

In his speech, "Changing Education Paradigms", Sir Ken discusses how education needs to evolve with our ever-changing world.

The RSA recently animated his speech, which has gained worldwide acclaim through sites such as Facebook and You Tube. 

If you have not seen this short film already, click the link below.

 CHANGING EDUCATION PARADIGMS

 Carpe Diem

A poem by Phoenix Love
(Age 11)
 

One day I built a snowman,

A mountainous, glistening one.

Over the cold winter night, my snowman came alive.

I went in the freezing, crunchy snow to meet my snowman.

He said to me "lets go have some fun."

We flew freely to the tallest mountain,

Glistening, like a giant diamond.

When we got to the top I looked out upon the town below,

A white sea enveloped the grey rocks of everyday life.

I looked down the mountain and said, "this looks scary!"

"You've got to let go of fear and live everyday to the full"

My snowman said to me.

"Soon my friend, I will be soft slush,

The mere memory of snow."

I stood listening.

Time melts.