New Progressive Atelier 21 Future School opens in Broadfield Park Crawley

Crawley is now home to the UK’s first Reggio Emilia inspired, enquiry-based learning Future School, in Broadfield Park, Pease Pottage in Crawley. Set up by Hayley Peacock, founder of the multi-award winning forest and farm school nurseries, Little Barn Owls, Atelier 21 Future School offers a revolutionary response to school for children aged 0-14 years and will open to 14-16 year olds from 2023.
By Andy Hemsley
Published 2nd Dec 2020, 10:13 BST
Updated 3rd Dec 2020, 10:17 BST
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The school is based in a stunning setting in Broadfield House, overlooking the lake in Broadfield Park, directly opposite the K2 sports centre and Tilgate Park, having carefully renovated the existing grade 2 listed 18th century mansion.

In the uncertain 21st Century we all face, Atelier 21 provides an education fit for children’s futures, rather than our pasts. This progressive school re-imagines the school day with academic workshops taught in groups of 10, cross curricular project-based learning for real world experience and self-directed studies on research projects. The most popular school day at Atelier 21 is Wild Friday! The one day a week where the whole learning community of children and adults go out to places of natural beauty in the forest or on the beach for outdoor learning and exploration. They also take part in purposeful ‘Adventure Days’ – from rock climbing to Forest School, crabbing to wild swimming, raft building, kayaking, surfing and lots more.

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The whole school community operates their own school business to learn the principles of entrepreneurship and participates in democratic school groups to make decisions on various aspects of running the school. It also has a strong focus on supporting the children’s well-being through teaching mindfulness, yoga, creativity and encouraging individual expression - every day is a non-school uniform one and all the teachers are known by their first names!

Atelier School 2 SUS-200212-095427001Atelier School 2 SUS-200212-095427001
Atelier School 2 SUS-200212-095427001

Hayley Peacock, Headteacher of Atelier 21 Future School comments: “Following the success of Little Barn Owls (Hayley’s chain of award winning nurseries in Horsham), parents were crying out for a continuation of their child’s enquiry-based learning at school age. Atelier 21’s revolutionary approach enables high levels of self-directed learning, facilitates student agency and fosters innovation, curiosity and creativity.

“We care about creativity, entrepreneurship and personal growth to help children and young people succeed and compete in the changing 21st century. Self-starting pupils who love to work on real world challenges, be active and have a driving seat in their learning will thrive here. At Atelier 21 we don’t just deliver the National Curriculum but a whole lot more, including learning HOW to think rather than WHAT to think!”

For more information visit: https://atelier21schools.co.uk/ or contact: 01293 265417

See also: How a winter walk in Sussex could improve your mental health

Related topics:Tilgate Park