Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

After taking part in the London to Brighton sponsored cycle ride in 2022, I am once again raising funds for my daughter's school, this time taking on the challenge of my very first triathlon! FYI this involves 300m swimming, 20km cycling and 5km running..... in quick, or 'moderately quick' succession!!

'The New School' brings an innovative approach to education in the UK. The school does not solely focus on the national curriculum, but prides itself on teaching children skills that will benefit them in adult life, such as emotional intelligence, democratic process and conflict resolution. Classes are small and mixed ages so the children get a lot of one on one attention.

The school has limited funding and survives year to year - which is why I am seeking to help raise funds. It is crucial that the innovative model of education that The New School is offering, not only survives, but becomes sustainable for the longer term (with government funding) so that more schools can open using its model. There are so many children for whom the traditional classroom and school model does not fit but they have no other option, including home education, as both parents must work.

We were so lucky to be in the right place at the right time for our daughter Luci to be part of this bold new vision for a school. Luci had initially enjoyed school, but at the age of just 7 she was struggling to master reading and writing as fast as her peers. I took her out of school at the start of Year 3 to home educate, and then she started at The New School at the start of her Year 5, when it opening in 2020.

Luci is now in Year 9 and is thriving at The New School, and not just because of its small setting, but because the children are really listened to, and they are learning how to reach decisions within a group, so that everyone is happy (via sociocracy) and feels included. Nowadays Luci is keen and eager to get to school every day not just on time, but early!

There are thousands of children in the UK whose lives could be similarly transformed by attending a school like The New School, if it were an option. I would love for this new model to be a success, and for it to be replicated elsewhere and remain non fee paying to be truly accessible for all.

Please donate any amount that you are able to, whether 50p or £50. As a team effort of 17 adults and young people, we hope to raise at least £5,000 so every last penny helps and counts.

Thanking you in anticipation! ;-)

Nicky.