In Other Woods

This fascinating book is a must-read for parents, teachers and anyone interested in education and how it can be changed for the better. The author’s exploration of ideas, experiences and questions guides us through a journey to find a ‘right’ education, showing how an open mind, collaboration and genuine curiosity can create an environment in which children, teachers and parents can learn and grow together – as she says: ‘education is a mutual task’. Mary-Ann explores the evolution and development of a groundbreaking school in a way that both reflects and models its educational philosophy. ‘Enquiry’ key aspect of that and we are invited to enquire into many important aspects of education, from the ‘role of the educator’ to the ‘perils of management’, all set within the story of the growth of the school. The author’s gentle yet authoritative tone quickly engages the reader, drawing us into a world where teacher, parent and child work together, weaving in their voices to introduce ideas to explore and inspire further enquiry within the reader. There is no doubt that this model of education is set far apart from our current prescribed, regimented ‘one size fits all’ school system, where so many children’s needs are sacrificed at the altar of targets and finance. Is there a future for such an unconventional approach to educating the next generation to become independent, curious minds? Or will those who propose to do things differently simply be squeezed out by those with the power to suffocate any innovation that challenges? I urge you to read this book and open your mind to the possibilities it sets forth.

In reading "In Other Woods", I feel grateful for Mary-Ann's fruitful effort to share a precious, painstakingly honed wisdom. The book is dense with pointers to important aspects of real-life education and a wealth of anecdotes that make her points alive. It is serious and rigorous in its content, yet told as a story and with a gentle humor here and there that make it an engaging read. It restores education to its right stand - one it is being robbed of: not an experts academic domain in the first place, but a natural work of love in the care of all of us jointly. The aspects touched on in this book ought to be a foundation to further pedagogy and didactics. It also offers unassumingly a prompt and a key to break the vicious circle of a destructive society and a destructive schooling system mutually feeding one another. Anyone confronted with that reality on the ground, as a parent, teacher, administrator, or simple citizen, can find in these pages much food for reflection and an encouragement to act.