Exploring play to reduce the disadvantage gap in schools

I first heard about The Churchill Fellowship through my partner. I believe someone at work mentioned it to her and I’m so grateful she recommended it to me!

I was intrigued to find out more, so I visited the website and I was compelled to apply. My inspiration is that I want to leave the world a better place than I found it. I am motivated to leave a dent in the world before I ultimately meet the fate, we are all destined for. Furthermore, I think we have so much to learn from other people and other cultures and it is only by being open minded and listening that we can grow and learn.

The Churchill Fellowship project I am undertaking explores the role of play in the education sector. For example, currently the UK is focusing heavily on teacher development through CPD (Continuing Professional Development) courses, for the purposes of reducing the disadvantage gap that exists within the education sector. Although the focus on this is good; we must also look towards empowering students.

Did you know that in Estonia children start school at the age of seven? Prior to this age they play and explore in Nursery. And did you know that in Armenia chess is part of the school curriculum? What can the UK learn from these countries and their approaches to education? Hopefully these questions highlight my enthusiasm and curiosity.

As part of my Fellowship, I will be visiting both Armenia and Estonia and exploring the different approached these countries have to what we call “education”.

I am extremely excited about having been selected for a Fellowship, however, I do feel nervous following the footsteps of those before me. I feel a sense of imposter syndrome but then I breathe and remind myself I should be proud and honoured to be in the position I am in. Yes, I feel the pressure but pressure is a privilege.